Carol Jean (Knight) Yaple, 98, of Naples, FL and formerly of Virginia, died May 27, 2023, at Premier Place at the Glenview in Naples.

    She was born April 14, 1925, in Virginia, IL, the youngest child of Carroll Thomas Knight and Susan Plummer Knight. She married William M. “Bill” Yaple on August 24, 1946, at the First Presbyterian Church in Virginia, and he preceded her in death on May 7, 2017.

She is survived by her son, Matt of Philadelphia, PA, and daughter, Carol (husband Dr. Richard Klasa) of Vancouver, British Columbia. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dr. Robert Knight of Normal, IL in 2005; and sister, Maribeth K. Conkin of Cincinnati, OH in 2015.

Jean grew up on the family farm and graduated from Virginia High School in 1943. She attended Culver-Stockton Junior College in Canton, MO, and worked during the war as an elementary school teacher in Pana, and in later years as a substitute teacher in Virginia. She was a deacon at the

First Presbyterian Church in Virginia and an officer of the Virginia Women’s Club, in addition to serving in many other civic organizations.

A graveside service with burial alongside her husband will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Virginia. The

family will meet friends at the First Presbyterian Church following the service. Parking is suggested behind the church, near the rear entrance which is accessible.

Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church and to Friends of the Rexroat Prairie, Virginia, IL 62691. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Virginia is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be sent online at buchanancody.com.