Jess W. Yarbrough

Mr. Yarbrough retired as a machinist from JMJ Industries in Belleville, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was assigned to the 239th Army Engineer Combat Bn., serving in the SW Pacific, and obtaining the rank of Master Sgt. He was also a member of Post 58, American Legion in Belleville, Illinois. He was a member of Westview Baptist Church in Belleville. He loved to study and observe birds. His hobby was making bird houses and bird feeders, most of which he gave as gifts. He was a wonderful story teller, especially those of WWII. When able, each September he attended the reunions of the 239th Army Engineer Combat Bn., throughout the states, and even hosted one in 1997, in Paducah, Kentucky.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Grace nee, Zika, Yarbrough; his parents, Sam and Mattie nee, Maxie, Yarbrough; his brothers Carl and Roy Yarbrough, Lawrence and Robert Walker; sisters, Gladys Stoll, Pearl Neff, and Mary Erk; his nephews, Roger Albert and William Neff; and a niece, Agnes Waigand.

He is survived by his nieces, Janice (Ralph) Dietz, of Smithton, Illinois, Pamela Erk, of Atlanta, Georgia, Mary Patterson, of Highpoint, North Carolina; and a nephew, Dr. Robert Erk, of Martin, Tennessee.

Memorials are appreciated to Westview Baptist Church of Belleville, Illinois or the Illinois Veterans Home of Anna, Illinois’ Activity Fund. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, July 11, 2011, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Funeral: Services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, July 11, 2011, at the funeral home, with Rev. Jim Robinson officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.