Frances Marie Yandell

MORTON – Frances Marie (Sargent) Yandell was born on December 18, 1932, in Waco, Tennessee. She passed from this earthly life into her heavenly home on January 25, 2022, in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Marie was born to Wesley & Maudie (Carpenter) Sargent and was the oldest of 5 siblings. She became a second Mom to the family when Maudie had some health issues. Later, Marie worked for other families, cooking, cleaning and doing ironing.

Marie graduated from Anderson (Indiana) High School in 1950 and married Don Yandell on December 14, 1952. Over the years, Don and Marie enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. Travel highlights included a Caribbean cruise and a trip to Europe where they were able to visit with son Jeff (Amanda) in Germany. They maintained contact with so many friends from past years – church friends, bowling friends and Don’s work associates. They welcomed 5 sons and one daughter into the family and Marie was busy caring for her gang. Mom was a good cook and an excellent homemaker. Nearly every night was a full dinner spread and always something good for dessert. Only occasionally did she make something that no one would eat, like sauerkraut and wieners or liver and onions. Every night after the kids were in bed, Marie made it her goal to put every item back into its’ proper spot. We all remember how she would spend hours ironing clothes and making things look good. She even ironed the pillowcases.

Christmas was a special time because of Mom’s efforts to find just the right gifts for each of her kids. On Christmas morning, very early, we would sneak downstairs and each one of us would find an area with our gifts laid out waiting for us. Mom made lots of Christmas cookies and treats through the years – cut-outs, Kiss cookies, lemon bars and her famous peanut butter balls. She would start early and freeze the treats in preparation for the holidays. Way too often, someone (no names mentioned) would break into the frozen cookies and enjoy an early treat. Because extended family was in Indiana, Christmas morning would find the whole clan climbing into the station wagon to head to family Christmas in Indianapolis and Anderson.

Mom made birthdays a special celebration with a favorite meal and gifts as we gathered around the dining room table. Don and Marie made it a point to take the family on a summer vacation whenever they could. Because of the large family, this evolved into camping expeditions, from tent to pop-up camper to travel trailer.  Mom was a trooper to plan food and clothes for all of us and we visited Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and other spots. We have some hilarious memories of camping.

From an early age, Marie had committed her life to Jesus, and she maintained that faith until her passing. She instilled this faith into her kids and kept us all involved in church until we were old enough to decide for ourselves. The knowledge that she is now with her Savior is comforting to us.

Preceding Marie in death were her parents, her husband, Don, in 2006, her son Brad, on January 24, 2022, and a sister, Nancy. She is survived by her children: Steve (Debi), Greg (Barb), Kevin (Cindy), Jeff (Amanda), Kristi (Eddie) Green, and daughter-in-law, Carla. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Also surviving are siblings, Faye Minnear, Dean Sargent and Ron Sargent, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Special thanks to those who maintained contact with Marie through the years. She enjoyed those memories shared through notes and Christmas cards. Mom has left us a legacy of caring for others. She loved being with friends and family and we will try to carry on that tradition.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 21, 2022, at Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Ill. at 2 pm.

Memorial donations in Marie’s memory may be directed to the ALS Association Greater Chicago Chapter (www.alsachicago.org) or New Community Christian Church (705 E. Washington St, Morris, IL 60450).

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.knappjohnson.com.