Donald ''Yogi'' E. Yocom

DONALD E. YOCOM MUSCATINE, Iowa - Donald E. Yocom Yogi, 78, of Muscatine, passed away on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, Iowa, after a two year battle with lung cancer. He passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife and family. Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Reverend Kenneth Kline of Genesis Hospice will officiate the service. Burial will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery. After the committal service there will be a time of refreshments at the American Legion, 110 South Houser Street. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2010, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Genesis Hospice Program or to the Muscatine Special Olympics Program in care of Jason Miller at the Muscatine Community Y. Don was born on September 10, 1931, in Muscatine, the son of George and Fern Honts Yocom. He married Phyllis Martin in November of 1950, and they later divorced. He then married Mary P. Faulkner Ridenour on February 7, 1961. He was a 30 year member of the Muscatine Fire Department, re...[more]

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ring in 1987. He worked as a laborer on his days off from the fire department through a local union. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and the American Legion Sal, and received an honorable discharge from the National Guard. He enjoyed his family, traveling, camping, and especially building his Yogi camp fires. He enjoyed his visits from Dave's dog, Buddy. He is lovingly survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary P. Yocom of Muscatine; one son, Leslie Ridenour and wife, Becky, of Muscatine; five daughters, Darla Yocom Gilbrech, Terri Yocom Beam, Sandra Ridenour Curtis and husband, Jason, and Dona Jean Yocom, all of Muscatine, and DeeAnna Ridenour Schumacher and husband, Dickie, of Fruitland; 10 grandchildren, Carey Johnson, Gary Schultheis, Donnie Schultheis, Tasha Lyman, Dean Franks, Annissa Swenson, John Brockert, Crystal Reisen, Jeff Brewer, and Mark Ridenour; 20 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson; two sisters, Char Lanfier and husband, Robert, and Janet Burr; and his best friend, David Hahn and wife, Sheila. There's a special place in heaven for friends like Dave. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Roger and Robert Yocom; and a brother and sister in infancy.