Maryanna Taylor

MARYANNA “SMOKE” TAYLOR, 89, of Evansville, Illinois, passed away at 4:00 pm, Monday, February 23, 2026, at Red Bud Regional Hospital, Red Bud, Illinois.

She was born to the late Nicholas and Anna (nee Gaertner) Braun on July 20, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri.

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.

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.

Survivors:

2 Children:

   Brent Taylor   Evansville, IL

   Nicolette “Nickie” Saunchegrow   Evansville, IL

4 Grandchildren:

   Ellie (Jake) Brown

   Claire Taylor

   Annabelle Saunchegrow

   Jacob Saunchegrow

1 Great Grandson:

    Abel Lee Brown

Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends

Preceded in Death by: Parents, Husband, 1 Son – Morris “Waxy” Taylor, and 1 Brother – Nicholas (Ina) Braun, Jr.

Funeral Mass:

   10:00 am, Saturday, February 28, 2026

   St. Boniface Catholic Church, Evansville, Illinois

Officiating:

   Fr. Stephen Pautler

   Fr. Charles Anyaoku

Interment:

   St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery

   Evansville, Illinois

Visitation:

   Friday – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

   Saturday – 8:00 am – 9:45 am

   Pechacek Funeral Homes, Evansville, Illinois

Memorials:

   St. Boniface Cemetery Fund