Born February 25, 1937, in Mt. Sterling, IL to Floyd and Clairetta Elbus Yakle, Monica married Eugene M. Bailey on June 7, 1958, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Springfield. Gene died on February 9, 2014. Also preceding her in death were her parents, brothers Maurice Yakle and Ronald Yakle, and a sister, Patricia Yakle.
Surviving are four children, Michael (Joann) Bailey of Washington, Kathleen (the late Edgar Salazar) Bailey of LaGrange, Angela (Victor) Canseco of Hawthorn Woods, and Patrick (Dana) Bailey of Springfield; 10 grandchildren (Jack, Will, Harrison, Sophia, Ashley, Allison, Nicole, Erica, David and Joshua); 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Kassing of Mt. Sterling; and a brother, Jerry Yakle of Elgin. The family also would like to thank Monica’s caretaker for the last two years, Jamie Mace.
Monica was a 1955 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in Mt. Sterling. She was a practical, no-nonsense, Brown County farm girl who left for the “big city” – Springfield – immediately after receiving her high school diploma, took a job at Franklin Life Insurance Company, and soon met and fell in love with the man who would be her husband for the next 55 years. Together they raised a family of four children born over six years on Springfield’s north side, a block and a half from the main gate of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. She was a “working mom” before it became fashionable, taking on various classroom and office jobs throughout her career, ultimately retiring from the City of Springfield’s Lake and Parks division at City Water, Light, and Power in 1998.
She could be feisty and fun, at her best, if also proud and private. An avid reader and consumer of news, she was blessed with a sharp wit, a gift for sarcasm and little reluctance in sharing her thoughts, however they might be received. She looked forward to capping off the day with a cold beer. Willful to the end, she always reserved her fiercest support for her children. She was loved, and she will be missed.
A funeral and farewell service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Camp Butler National Cemetery Committal Shelter, 5063 Camp Butler Road, Springfield, followed by burial there. The family will host a celebration of life event immediately thereafter, starting at about 2:00 p.m. at Springfield American Legion Post #32, 1120 E. Sangamon Ave.
Memorials to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Breakthrough T1D) are appreciated.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL.
