Yvonne Fraley, 94, of Taylorville, IL, passed away peacefully Thursday morning February 24, 2022 surrounded by her loving family at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.

Yvonne was born August 16, 1927 the daughter of Ural and Thelma (Benham) Gardner in Christian County. She attended Fairview Elementary School and later graduated from Taylorville High School in 1945. She was a drum majorette in the band, co-editor of the yearbook, was a top 10 honor student and elected prom queen her senior year. In 1949 she graduated from the University of Illinois College of Education. During college, she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta social sorority, Alpha Lamba Delta scholastic honorary, Junior editor of the yearbook, and chosen to be a member of TORCH.

Yvonne began her career teaching English and Spanish, and served as the Dean of Girls at Taylorville Junior High School until her retirement.

On August 13th, 1949 she was united in marriage to her High School sweetheart Varel Fraley and they celebrated nearly 50 years of marriage before his passing in 1999.

Yvonne was beloved by all who met her. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and a friend to all. She enjoyed spending her winters in North Redington Beach, FL spending most days soaking up the sun on the beach, loved shopping, was an avid lover of books, and she enjoyed Big Band music and dancing. Most of all she was a symbol grace, class, integrity, and unconditional love. She always looked for the best in both people and situations and was described as possessing a “special sweetness”.

Having been raised in the Presbyterian Church, Yvonne had faith in God and Christ.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, Ural and Thelma (Benham) Gardner; husband, Varel; sister, Annette; and daughter, LeAnne.

She is survived by daughter, Kedra Manginelli and husband Bill of Lee’s Summit, MO; grandchildren, Weston (wife, Courtney) Manginelli, Brittain (wife, Jonnalyn) Manginelli, Trenten (husband, James) Dempsey-Rozeboom, Cameron Dempsey, Trisha (husband, Zachary) Arquilla; great grandchildren who knew her as GiGi, Rocco and Aureia Manginelli and Marlee Grace and Calvin Arquilla; brother-in-law, Vance (wife, Katie) Fraley; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation & Funeral Ceremony: The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of ceremony at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home, 202 W. Franklin Street, Taylorville, IL 62568, with Bill Manginelli officiating.

Interment will follow the ceremony at Edinburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Kemmerer Village, 941 N 2500 East Rd, Assumption, IL 62510.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Yvonne, or offer condolences to her family.