Marion D. Yokem

Marion D. Yokem, of Wellington, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on Sunday, February 5th, 2017 at his home, and is now in the loving embrace of his Heavenly Father.

Marion was born on January 4, 1936, in Atlas, Illinois to his parents Henry William Yokem and Marie Dober Yokem. He graduated from Pittsfield, Illinois High School in 1953. Marion was a lifelong sports fan. He starred in baseball, basketball, and football for Pittsfield High, playing for legendary Pittsfield coach, Glenn Smith and his undefeated football team of 1952. Following high school, Marion played semi-pro baseball for the Nite Hawks, traveling through Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa.

In 1953 Marion married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Melton and together they raised three children, Gregory Yokem (Elaine) of Mansfield, Ohio, Tracey Yokem Cox (David) of Fort Collins and Timothy Yokem (Sarah) of Wellington, Colorado.

Marion graduated with honors from the Calvary Bible College of Kansas City, Missouri in 1961. He worked his way through college by driving for Wheelock Trucking in Kansas City. After graduation, Barb and Marion moved to Ohio where Marion pastored The Community Bible Church in Mansfield for six years. They then moved their family to Colorado where he pastored Poudre Park Community Church for several years. After leaving his pastoral calling, Marion drove trucks over the road for Nationsway Transport until his retirement. Over the years, Marion also was a realtor for Kinzli & Company of Wellington.

Continuing his love of sports, Marion coached youth recreation league teams and never had a losing season. In Mansfield, Marion coached city championship teams in football, basketball, and baseball. In Fort Collins, he coached a recreation league basketball team to two undefeated seasons. Marion was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan, and always rooted for the Denver Broncos. He was a life-long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. A point of great sadness is that Marion passed away just minutes before the start of Super Bowl LI, a game he always looked forward to. Marion was a lover of people. He walked daily in his neighborhood and soon knew everyone he met and was able to recall their names, their family and where they lived.

Marion was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Dorothy Skinner, of Billings, Montana, and a sister, Donna Foreman, of Pittsfield, Illinois. Marion is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Wellington, Colorado, his sister, Mildred McCartney, of Pittsfield, Illinois, his three children and their spouses, ten grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, February 15th at 2:00 pm at Wellington Community Church, 8445 Third Street in Wellington, Colorado. An additional Memorial Service will be held in late April in Pittsfield, Illinois and his remains will be interred in West Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wellington Community Church Building Fund.