Cherie Dee Taets

Cherie Dee Taets, 61, passed away peacefully at her home in Coal Valley, IL in the early morning hours of Monday, November 17. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory, in Geneseo, IL, followed immediately by a funeral service at 6:00 p.m. Cremation Rites will be accorded following the services, with a private inurnment to be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Heritage Wesleyan Church, which will benefi t their children’s ministry.

Cherie was born June 22,1964, in Geneseo, Illinois, to Jean Clark. Since the age of fi ve, Cherie was a lifelong member of Heritage Wesleyan Church. Cherie married the love of her life, Michael Taets, at the age of 18 on August 28, 1982. It was their joy to raise a family together while supporting and mentoring so many nieces, nephews, and adopted family members over the years. Cherie proudly earned her GED simultaneously with her mother in 1989. She later earned her associates degree in American Sign Language Interpreting.

Cherie loved her many dogs, gardening, homemaking, and entertaining family and friends at holiday gatherings. She had a special passion for serving children with disabilities, including her participation in a sign language ministry at her church and her work as an ASL interpreter at local schools. Known as “Mimi” by her precious grandchildren, Cherie will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Cherie and Mike’s Christ-like compassion, generosity, and hospitality impacted countless lives.

Cherie is survived by her loving husband, Mike Taets of Coal Valley; children, Scott (Mckenzie) Taets of Moline, IL, Brooke (Eric) Lemmon of Elkhart, IN, and Eric (Abbey) Taets of Moline, IL; beloved grandchildren, Owen, Micah, Evan, Ezra, Nicholas, Joseph, and grandbaby to come; siblings, Troy Clark of Davenport, IA, Roger (Jennifer) Urven Jr. of Peoria, IL, Lonnie (Jessica) Urven of Los Angeles, CA, and Cheryl (Mike) Shannon of Moline, IL.

Cherie was preceded in death by her brother, Brian Horn; mother, Jean Wagle; and her sister, Laurie (Horn) Daniel.