CSM Delbert Yocum

CSM(Ret), Delbert Warren Yocum, passed away at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran’s  Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, on February 9th, 2009, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Cuba, Illinois on September 18, 1923, to Archie M. and Mabel Fern Yocum.  He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years, Helene (Weyer) Yocum, whom he met while serving in the Army in Germany after the war.  Also surviving are his five children:  Kris Yocum; Steve Yocum and wife, Julia, of Nashville, TN; Randy Yocum and wife, Trixi, of Waynesville, MO.; Angel Antoni and husband, Chris, of Bally, PA.; Patty Yocum and husband, Mark Ellis, of Columbia, MO; seven grandchildren; and his sister, Eileen Yocum, of Canton, Illinois, all of whom will miss him dearly.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Bernice Brunkow and Zelma Matejewski.

Delbert graduated from Canton High School with the class of 1941.  He worked at Letourneau’s in Peoria as a welder until he and three buddies, Kenny Lee, Ray (Junior) ­­­Shaffer, and Alan Eliott took off for California in Del’s Model T Ford in 1942 to work in the shipyards, building Liberty Ships for the war effort.  Their adventurous journey is still a favorite topic of conversation.    Six months later, they received their draft notification and returned to Illinois to begin basic training at Camp Ellis.  The rest is history.

Delbert was a Veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.  He was the recipient of the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in Vietnam, and many distinguished honors throughout his 27 years of military service.

He will be remembered as a man who cared deeply about his family, his friends, his community, and his country.

His memorial service, with full military honors, will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 2:00 pm at the Lieber Heights Chapel, 8370 Indiana Ave., Fort Leonard Wood, MO.   (Indiana Ave. is the first street past the Main Gate.   Parking is at the Pershing School, across the street.)  The Chapel and reception room will be open from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran’s Hospital (HSTMVH), 800 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65201.  “For Yocum Memorial, 3 East“.  Thank you.