Taianne Louise (Leonard) Newkirk (66) of Yale

Taianne Louise (Leonard) Newkirk, 66, of Yale, IL passed away Tuesday November 12, 2024, at 9:53 am peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family.

To commemorate her remarkable life and the memories we cherish: Funeral Services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday November 16, 2024, at the Cummins Church, in rural Yale, IL. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday November 15, 2024, at the Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup. There will be a Nurse Honor Guard Service at 7:00 pm on Friday evening at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in the Hunt Cemetery, in rural Yale. We welcome all who knew her to join us in celebrating the life of a woman who was loved deeply and will be missed.

Taianne was born on January 22nd, 1958, in Paris, IL to Sylvia Ruth (Eibling) and John Larry Leonard who have preceded her in death. She married Harold Newkirk on June 22, 1975, at Cummins Church.

Taianne is loved and missed by those she treasured most including her loving husband, Harold; children Shannon (Chris) Ferguson, Cindy (Matt) Borgic, and John (Tabatha) Newkirk; grandchildren Kendall Ferguson, Evan Ferguson, Tyler Ferguson, Keegan Borgic, Rylea Borgic, Hayden Borgic, Faith McBride, Brianna Barber, Elizabeth, and Trinity Gurley; great-grandchild Nova Gurley; brothers John Leonard Jr., David (Christie) Leonard, and Don Leonard.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Bonnie Leonard, and her brother Randy Leonard.

While raising a family, Taianne decided to pursue a career in nursing and graduated with an Associate Degree in Nursing RN from Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, IL. Taianne spent most of her nursing career caring for patients at Cumberland Nursing and Rehab in Greenup. Taianne's strength is admired by many as she has had numerous health concerns for many years yet persevered until she was no longer able to work and left her nursing career. She then found hobbies to pass her time including blogging, crocheting, quilting, making websites, and the most recent making coloring books and word searches. Those that were blessed to know her know where they stood, tasted her delectable cooking and baking, and know that she could argue with the best of us. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and wife who was always there when we needed her most, offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance. A friend to many, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness and strength. A pillar of strength and a beacon of love, her absence leaves a void in our hearts.

Memorials can be made to: Jasper County Cancer Support, Inc. P.O Box 333, Newton, IL 62448. Online condolences can be expressed by clicking here.