Sandra Elaine “Sandy” Eyl, age 66, of Eugene, Mo., passed away Thursday, September 29, 2022 at her home.
Sandy was born on September 2, 1956 in Norfolk, Virginia, the daughter of Stanley J. DeGraffenreid, Sr. and Bonnie (Roark) Goodin. She was married on May 6, 2021 in Jefferson City, Mo. to Mark S. Eyl, who survives.
A resident of the central Missouri area for the majority of her life, Sandy was a 1974 graduate of Eldon High School.
She was employed for the last 30 years as an administrative assistant with Central Dairy retiring in the fall of 2021. She cherished the relationships she made with her co-workers and considered many of them as good friends. Before her time at Central Dairy, she worked with the Miller County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and at Colonial Printing in Jefferson City.
She had many good times on motorcycle rides and during one of those rides she met the love of her life, Mark. They were members of the Noble Eagles in Eldon.
Sandy was a country girl at heart and loved being outdoors. Her favorite thing was spending time on their property; watching incredible sunsets while sitting next to a warm bonfire with Mark, afternoons spent around the swimming pool with friends; and riding the back roads of nature in their off-road pumpkin. She looked forward to daily chores gardening, bird watching and taking care of her dogs and chickens. Sandy had a love for music and dancing, especially classic rock and roll. She was always decorating for the holidays, with Halloween and Christmas being her favorites.
Sandy was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend to many. Most of all, she loved her son, Tim, and husband, Mark, whose only goal was to make her happy every second of every day. They will remember her helpful, protective and caring demeanor. She stood strong for her family and loved with all her heart.
Survivors include: husband, Mark Eyl; son, Timothy Strope (Jacqueline) of Eldon, Mo.; five siblings, Robyn Quave (Marty) of Vancleave, Mississippi, Karen Sherbak of Wichita, Ks., John DeGraffenreid (Michelle) of St. James, Mo., Carol Winschel (Brian) of Peoria, Ill., and Cody DeGraffenreid of Indianapolis, Indiana; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins; her beloved dogs, Buddy and Dave the Dog; and several kitties.
Sandy was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Elba Roark and Ersa Roark Engle; her paternal grandparents, Ada and Eleven DeGraffenreid; her father, Stanley DeGraffenreid, Sr.; her mother, Bonnie Roark Goodin; and brother, Stanley James “Jay” DeGraffenreid, Jr.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Thursday, October 6, 2022.
A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, October 6, 2022 in the Freeman Chapel. Graveside services and interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday at the Eldon City Cemetery in Eldon, Mo.
A webcast of her service will begin at 12:00 p.m. Thursday for friends that are not able to attend by going to her memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Sandy Eyl Memorial Fund in the care of Mark Eyl by mailing them to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.