Virginia E. Yates, age 82, of Sandoval, Illinois, passed away at St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia, Illinois at 6:31 A.M. on Sunday, November 17, 2013. She was born on December 15, 1930 in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of Robert and Vera (Howard) Stewart. She married Clarence Frederick Yates on October 16, 1953 in Canton, Ohio and he preceded her in death on February 23, 1994. She is survived by her 2 sons Kenneth Yates of Las Vegas Nevada and Randal Yates and wife Vicky of Maryville, Tennessee, l daughter Margie Heminger and husband Daniel of Fredericksburg, Virginia, 4 grandchildren Brian Yates, Jennifer Yates, Amanda Mayo and Michael Heminger, 4 great grandchildren and 1 brother James Brandt Stewart and wife Billie of Neosho, Missouri. In addition to her husband of 40 years, Mrs. Yates was preceded in death by her parents and 3 brothers Robert G. Stewart, Howard Stewart and Russell Stewart. She was a member of the Frieden's United Church of Christ in Irvington, Illinois. She was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving 2 years during the Korean Conflict. She was a member of the Centralia Order of Eastern Star, Centralia Business & Professional Women's Club and the Central City Lioness Club. She was a life-long St. Louis Cardinal's Baseball fan. Mrs. Yates' enjoyment in life was not limited to but included shopping, reading, traveling and basking in the Florida sun. After 27 years of service, Mrs. Yates retired on November 30, 1991 as a Mental Health Tech 4 from the Warren G. Murray Developmental Center in Centralia, Illinois. She was an advocate for healthcare issues at Murray Center and was president of Murray Center Local 401 for 18 years. She was a trustee for the Illinois State Employee Retirement System. She was former president of Illinois AFSCME Retiree Chapter 31 and former board member of AFSCME Council 31. Mrs. Yates was former president of Illinois AFSCME Retiree Sub-Chapter 85. She has lived in Sandoval, Illinois for over 50 years. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, November 22, 2013 in the Boggs Chapel at the Moran Queen~Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Reverend Stacy Tate officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois. Friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at the Moran Queen~Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.