John Edward Yocum II

The Rev. John Edward Yocum II, age 70, of Higginsville, Mo., died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006, at New Haven Nursing Center, Odessa, Mo. John was born in Atchison, Kan., on Oct. 26, 1935, the son of Harley Allen Yocum and Lula Frances (Bradley) Yocum. He married Marilyn Sue Norris on July 11, 1959

The Rev. Yocum earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Missouri State University and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Paul's Seminary. He then moved to Higginsville in 1993, where he retired in 1998, as the pastor of Grace United Methodist Church. Earlier in his life he had worked as an underwriter and field manager for the insurance industry.

John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marilyn Norris Yocum and daughter Mellisa S. Yocum of the home; daughter, Dr. Christina Venner and husband, Dan and granddaughters, Emily and Grace Venner of Chillicothe, Mo.; son, John E. Yocum III and wife Juli and granddaughters, Haley and Melissa M. Yocum, grandson, John Yocum IV of Independence, Mo.; brother, Donald Paul Yocum and wife Bonna of Grain Valley, Mo.; and 19 nephews and nieces.

Services will be Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 10 a.m., at Grace United Methodist Church, Higginsville. Burial will be in City Cemetery, Higginsville. Calling hours will be Monday, Aug. 7, from 6-8 p.m., at Hoefer Funeral Home.