Sonya Kay Yoos, age 80, of Centralia, died Saturday, August 8, 2020 at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia. She was born December 19, 1939, in Centralia, the daughter of Edward "Ed" and Lillian "Lil" (Keiger) Kuhner. She was an only child. She married Arthur Eugene "Gene" Yoos on August 10, 1958 in Centralia.

She is survived by a daughter, Debby Slininger and husband Jody of Centralia; and by a son, Christopher "Chris" Yoos of Wichita, Kansas; four grandchildren, Clairesse Neikes and husband Rick, Nathan Slininger, Avery Yoos and wife Taryn, and Amerizhon Yoos and husband Jimmie Wilson of Kansas; and five great-grandchildren, Jaden Dickinson, Alannah Dickinson, Tessa Neikes, and Taylor Neikes, and Jukka Wilson (pronounced You-kuh). She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Jerry Cunningham and wife Sue of Florida, and a sister-in-law, Carolyn Yoos of Champaign, Illinois; also a niece and nephew, and numerous cousins, and village idiots.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband.

Sonya was a proud member of Centralia Township High School, Class of 1957, and loved going to her Class Reunions. Next to her picture in her Senior yearbook it said, "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and Sonya talked on and on." She and her husband were known for many years for having Basenji's, which are the only breed of dog the doesn't bark, and Basenji's originated from Africa. Many kids would walk by their house and bark at their dogs and the dogs would look back at them like, "Are you crazy, what are you doing?" with kids walking away like they couldn't figure out why the dogs wouldn't bark back, which was always fun to watch.

She had many friends and those who knew her know that she loved to tell jokes, even telling people she didn't know when she was out shopping, the jokes she heard, and loved talking to people. Those who knew her well would always ask her when they saw her, "Do you have any new jokes for me?" and she would be so thrilled and pleased for everyone to know that her last joke she told was, "Did you hear that a casket company has started marketing clear glass coffins? Don't know if they will be well received...remains to be seen." A last laugh for everyone is something that happened many years ago, which is while she was driving through a cemetery with a family member, Sonya saw a grave being dug in the cemetery and she said to the family member that was with her, "Oh, look, somebody's gonna be planted there!" and there was a great laugh between the two of them, and now the rest of those who knew her know of her last laugh also. So, every time you hear a funny joke, think of Sonya and the pure satisfaction and enjoyment it would bring her and those around you.

Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia is privileged to be assisting the family of Sonya Yoos with arrangements. Due to Covid-19 health concerns, private services will be held at a later date. Burial will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Sonya would enjoy it if donations were made to the Starving Comedians Guild (not that we know that one exists) but actually Memorials Donations may be made to the Humane Society and will be accepted for the family at the funeral home in Centralia. Online condolences and memories of Sonya may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home's Facebook page.