A funeral will be held Saturday for 89-year-old Maryanna “Smoke” Taylor of Evansville, Illinois, who passed away at 4 pm, Monday, February 23, 2026, at Red Bud Regional Hospital, Red Bud, Illinois.
She was born July 20, 1936 to Nicholas and Anna (nee Gaertner) Braun in St. Louis, Missouri. They both preceded her in death.
Maryanna married William “Bill” Lee Taylor on June 25, 1955, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Evansville, Illinois. They were blessed with 60 years of marriage until Bill’s passing on February 18, 2016.
She is survived by two children: Brent Taylor of Evansville, IL and Nicolette “Nickie” Saunchegrow Evansville, IL; four grandchildren: Ellie (Jake) Brown, Claire Taylor, Annabelle Saunchegrow and Jacob Saunchegrow; one great grandson: Abel Lee Brown; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends
She was also preceded in death by a son: Morris “Waxy” Taylor, and a brother: Nicholas (Ina) Braun, Jr.
Her parents started Braun’s Tavern in Evansville, Illinois, in 1941. Smoke worked alongside her parents and later became the owner. She sold the business in 2005.
Smoke was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Evansville, Illinois.
She was involved in the Evansville Athletics Association when her kids were involved in sports.
She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.
She enjoyed picking up pecans in her yard.
A funeral mass for 89-year-old Maryanna “Smoke” Taylor of Evansville, Illinois will be held at 10 a.m.
Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Evansville, Illinois. Fr. Stephen Pautler and Fr. Charles Anyaoku will officiate.
Interment will bein the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Evansville, Illinois.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday and 8-9:45 a.m. Saturday at the Pechacek Funeral Homes, in Evansville, Illinois
Memorials may be made to the St. Boniface Cemetery Fund.