Irene M Yochum

Born November 4, 1917 in Clyde, Iowa to Charles and Ada (Berry) Sumpter, she married Myron Swanson Yochum on May 9, 1937 in Bethany, Missouri.  He died April 14, 2000 in East Peoria.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, one grandson (Joel Yochum), two sisters (Leona Graham and Hazel Hollingsworth), and three brothers (Benjamin Sumpter, John Sumpter, and William Sumpter).

Surviving are one son, Jerry (Betty) Yochum of Delafield, Wisconsin; one daughter, Jennifer (Phillip) Speidel of East Peoria; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Yochum and Tracy Yochum, both of Nashotah, Wisconsin, Ross Speidel and Rachael Speidel, both of East Peoria; and six great-grandsons, Joel Yochum, Zack Olson, Ian Olson, Jeremy Yochum, Brandon Olson, and Devyn Olson.

Irene worked for Easter Seals/Crippled Children's Center in Peoria as a pre-school teacher for 12 years, retiring in 1977.  Previously, she was a teacher in Iowa and a hairdresser in California and Iowa.

She was a former member of First United Methodist Church in Peoria.

Irene was an avid reader.  She also authored a book on her family’s history.

There will be a service at a later date in Baxter, Iowa.  Her remains have been donated to medical science.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to OSF Hospice, 2265 West Altorfer Drive, Peoria, IL  61615.