Verla Elizabeth (Taylor) Somers, 83, of Punta Gorda, Florida, formerly of Bloomington-Normal, died peacefully Friday, December 8, 2006 at her residence in Punta Gorda.

Born May 8, 1923 in Belle Prairie Township, Illinois, Verla, a retired administrative assistant for State Farm Insurance Company, moved to Punta Gorda in 1985 from Hilton Head, South Carolina. She was Roman Catholic.

Survivors include her beloved sons Douglas B. Somers of Wheeling, IL, and David M. (Beverly) Somers of Avon, CT, one grandson and two granddaughters; four sisters, Connie Van Dyke of Morton, IL, Muriel Gilman of Fairbury, IL, Bethel Stein of Washington, IL, and Vivian Walton of Bloomington, IL; one brother Bruce Taylor of Champaign, IL; sister-in-laws Norma J. Jones of Palm Springs, CA and Rita M. Mauer of Fairbury, IL, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death in November 2000 by her husband Francis (Fran) E. Somers, former star athlete for Illinois Wesleyan University and Normal Community High School Head Basketball and Baseball Coach, coaching several district championship teams over a 30 year career.