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Wardell Vaughn Obituary
Wardell Vaughn
Wardell Vaughn was the seventh child born to the late Taylor Vaughn Sr. and Mary Lee Vaughn in Brooksville, Mississippi on July 27, 1940.
Wardell moved to Edwardsville, Illinois at a young age. He attended Lincoln Elementary School and Edwardsville High School where he played basketball. He graduated from high school in 1959 and went on to attend Illinois State University.
While at Illinois State, he became a star basketball player and graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1964. After graduating from Illinois State, Wardell moved to Chicago, Illinois where he began working for the Chicago Board of Education at Farragut Career Academy on Chicago's West Side. He was a physical education/ health science teacher, assistant football coach and head varsity basketball coach.
While employed with the Board of Education he met and married the love of his life Mary Hayes. In 1975, Wardell was inducted into the Illinois State Athletic Hall of Fame. Wardell worked at Farragut High for over 37 years until his retirement in 2001.
Wardell was a devoted husband, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. Anyone who came in contact with him took an instant liking to him. Wardell had an engaging personality, he was quick witted and funny. His favorite pastimes were watching and analyzing sports, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
On April 7, 2019, Wardell departed this life at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago, Illinois with his loving wife by his side.
Wardell leaves to mourn in his passing his wife of over 50 years Mary; three brothers, Taylor Vaughn Jr. of Chicago, Illinois, Govonor Vaughn (Loretta) of Detroit, Michigan, Otis Vee Vaughn of Edwardsville, Illinois; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, special friends, Earl Smith and Dave Hunt.
Wardell was preceded in death by both parents; two brothers, Jimmie Lee and Tommie Lee Vaughn; and two sisters, Christine Hammonds and Emma Jean Cross.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Jack Townsend officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon.
Online condolences may be expressed at weberfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Wardell Vaughn
Dorothy Hunt
May 9, 2025
I am very sorry to hear of Wardell Vaughn's passing. My condolences to the family.
Van Langford
April 24, 2019
Deepest and most sincere condolences to the families.
April 13, 2019
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
April 12, 2019
Wardell was a good man. He came from a great family of Vaughns. He is a tribute to his family, home town, and Illinois State.
Buzz Shaw
Myron Schumacher
April 11, 2019
I have known Wardell for almost 65 years. We were classmates and basketball teammates at Edwardsville. We also got a chance to play against each other in small college NCAA tournament in 1962. We talked on the phone a couple of times in the past ten years and also at recent class reunions. Rest in peace.
April 11, 2019
Enjoyed the friendship of Wardell as a classmate and fellow team mate on the basketball team. He was a pleasure to be with.
Walt Guller
Mel Roustio
April 11, 2019
My sincere sympathy is extended to Wardell's family. I pray that wonderful memories of your journey with Wardell will sustain you always.
Suzann Hartnagel Rizzi
April 10, 2019
So sorry to hear of the passing of Wardell. My condolences to the Vaughn family.
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