Cheryl Shelkofsky Chambers Obituary: Ellis County Treasurer and Dedicated Public Servant Dies at 60

Cheryl Shelkofsky WAXAHACHIE, Texas — Ellis County is mourning the loss of Cheryl Shelkofsky Chambers, a longtime public servant whose career spanned more than three decades and whose commitment to her community extended far beyond elected office. Chambers passed away on August 18, 2026, at the age of 60.

Born October 20, 1965, in Waxahachie, Texas, to Frank and Linda Shelkofsky, Cheryl spent much of her life serving the community she called home. Through county government, statewide professional leadership and volunteer work, she built a reputation for integrity, compassion and genuine concern for others.

More Than Three Decades Serving Ellis County

Chambers began her career with Ellis County in 1992, initially serving as Deputy County Treasurer.

Her responsibilities grew over the years, and she later became Assistant County Auditor. In 2010, voters elected her Ellis County Treasurer, beginning another significant chapter in her career of public service.

For Cheryl, elected office was not simply a title. She viewed her position as a responsibility to the people who trusted her to serve their community.

Colleagues and residents came to know her as someone willing to listen, offer encouragement and develop genuine relationships with the people she encountered through her work.

Her years in county government made her a familiar figure throughout Ellis County and reflected a professional life centered on accountability and service.

Leadership Across Texas

Cheryl’s influence eventually reached beyond Ellis County through her involvement with the County Treasurers’ Association of Texas.

She served on the association’s board and was its president from 2017 to 2018, contributing to efforts supporting county treasurers and other elected officials throughout Texas.

Her years of leadership and dedication were recognized in 2021 when she was named Texas County Treasurer of the Year.

The honor represented an important milestone in a career Cheryl had spent serving both her local community and the wider network of county officials across the state.

Family at the Heart of Cheryl’s Life

Away from county government, Cheryl’s family remained central to her life.

She married Steve Chambers on August 14, 1987, and together they built a life shaped by family, service and shared experiences.

Cheryl was a devoted mother to Justin and Stephanie and treasured becoming a grandmother to Allison and Emerson. Her role within her family brought her considerable happiness, and the relationships she nurtured remained among the most meaningful parts of her life.

She also shared a particularly close relationship with her sisters, Rhonda and Gay. Their tradition of spending Saturdays together became one of the familiar routines that reflected the importance Cheryl placed on staying connected with those she loved.

A Commitment to Helping Others

Cheryl’s service did not end when she left the office.

She volunteered with Campfire Creek and was a member of the Lions Club, giving her time to causes and organizations that allowed her to continue helping people throughout the community.

Those efforts reflected the same qualities that characterized her public career. She believed in showing up, helping where she could and treating people with kindness.

Friends, colleagues and community members remember a woman whose generosity was expressed not only through formal leadership positions but also through the personal attention she gave to others.

Cheryl Chambers Family

Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Linda Shelkofsky; her stepfather, Butch Nelson; her brother, Dino Martin; her father-in-law, Hubert Chambers; and her mother-in-law, Hughlane Chambers.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Chambers; her son, Justin Chambers and his wife Jackie; her daughter, Stephanie Chambers; and her granddaughters, Allison and Emerson Chambers.

She is also survived by her sisters, Rhonda Johnston and Gay Lynn Johnson, as well as extended relatives, friends, colleagues and members of the community whose lives became connected to hers during decades of service.

Cheryl Shelkofsky Chambers Cause of Death

Cheryl Chambers passed away on August 18, 2026. However, a specific cause of death was not included in the information provided.

Out of respect for Cheryl and her family, no illness, medical condition or other circumstance should be attributed to her passing without confirmation from her loved ones or another authorized source.

Her life and legacy remain defined by far more than the circumstances of her death, particularly the decades she devoted to family, public service and the Ellis County community.

Funeral and Memorial Service in Waxahachie

Family, friends, colleagues and community members will have an opportunity to gather and honor Cheryl’s life during services scheduled in Waxahachie.

A visitation will take place Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Wayne Boze Funeral Home.

A memorial service will follow Monday, August 24, at 10 a.m., also at Wayne Boze Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Cheryl’s memory may make memorial donations to Campfire Creek or the National Fabry Disease Foundation.

Remembering Cheryl Chambers and Her Ellis County Legacy

Cheryl Shelkofsky Chambers leaves behind a legacy built over decades rather than a single moment.

From beginning her county career as Deputy County Treasurer in 1992 to eventually becoming Ellis County Treasurer, leading fellow treasurers across Texas and earning statewide recognition, her professional journey demonstrated a lasting commitment to public service.

Yet those closest to Cheryl will also remember another side of her story: a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who valued relationships and made time for the people she loved.

Her impact remains in the family she cherished, the colleagues she encouraged, the organizations she supported and the Ellis County residents she served for more than three decades.

Cheryl Shelkofsky Chambers will be remembered for her integrity, generosity and commitment to serving others. Her passing leaves a significant absence in Ellis County, but the example she set through her family life, community involvement and public service will remain part of her enduring legacy.

Disclaimer

This obituary is based on the information available at the time of publication. Details concerning Cheryl Shelkofsky Chambers’ death, cause of death, biography, family, visitation, memorial service and other arrangements should be confirmed through her family, funeral home or other authorized sources. Information may be updated if additional verified details become available. This article is intended for general informational and memorial purposes and should not be considered a substitute for the family’s official obituary or funeral notice.