Debra Kay Yeagle

Debra "Debbie" Kay Yeagle, 68, went to be with Jesus on February 22, 2025, in Jacksonville. Her unquenchable warmth will be missed by all who knew her.
She was born October 15, 1956, to Gene and Ruth (Madsen) Wacker in Urbana, Illinois. She studied art and always appreciated beauty, whether in the humanities or in humans themselves.
Crowned with a wreath of daisies, Debbie married Tom Yeagle in a hippie wedding in the woods on April 5, 1975. They had many happy years raising their family in Farmer City, Illinois.
Her motto was "Never a dull moment," evidenced by her defiant joy and sense of humor. She always invited others to meet Jesus and welcomed them into her family. Many holidays were spent with extra faces around the table.
Debbie worked many years as a florist in Farmer City, and later, at the Mahomet IGA produce department. She loved encouraging people in the community. Over time, she mentored several young moms through her volunteer work at the local crisis pregnancy center. She enjoyed being a member of Shakespeare Club, even after relocating to Florida.
Debbie loved trying new things, and became social director for Clinton Lake Sailing Association. She also learned to sail a Flying Scot in various regattas around the Midwest as a member of FS Fleet 135. She was social organizer for Mid Illini Sail and Power Power Squadron. She even sailed in the British Virgin Islands with the Illini Flotilla. Debbie had many wonderful friends in these organizations.
Most recently, she was a member of Mars Hill Church in Jacksonville. She loved working in her many flower gardens, tending to her collection of stray cats, and spending time with family and friends.
Debbie is preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Ruth, her stepdad, Homer Kuder, her sister, Jan Howard, her brother John Kuder, and her son-in-law, David White.
She is survived by Tom and their four children: Olivia (Paul) Paul of Orland Park, Illinois; Natalie (David) White of West Fargo, North Dakota; Patrick (Melissa) Yeagle of Laveen, Arizona; and Micah (Stephanie) Yeagle of Bloomington, Illinois; her three grandchildren, Lydia White, Alexander Paul, and Lilian Yeagle; as well as her brother Gary (Terry) Wacker of Champaign, Illinois; her sister, Karel (Rich) Earl of St. Joseph, Illinois; her sister, Gayle (Mike) Massingill of Crossville, Tennessee; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The celebration of life will be 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, at Mars Hill Church, 4300 Saint Johns Ave., Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions on Debbie's behalf may be made to Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center in Champaign, or a charity of the donor's choice.