Marvin Ward Yocum

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Marvin Ward Yocum of Mishawaka, Indiana was promoted to his new home in Heaven on April 7, 2020 at the age of 89.  He passed away at Grace Village Health Care in Winona Lake, Indiana. 

He was born on June 5, 1930, in Salisbury, Missouri to the late J. Marvin Yocum and Mabelle Ward Yocum. He had lived at Grace Village Retirement Community since October, 2019.

After graduating in 1953 from Kirksville State Teacher’s College in Missouri, Marvin moved to the South Bend area and began work as an engineer at Bendix.  He then took a job at Uniroyal in Mishawaka and finished his working years at RX Honing.  In addition to his regular job, he was a real estate entrepreneur investing in a farm, apartment building, and numerous rental homes.

Marvin married Ruth Handley on November 12, 1955 and together they raised four children.  Marvin was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Mishawaka serving in many capacities including church moderator, trustee, Sunday School teacher, youth group leader, AWANA leader, building committee member, and a solid bass in various church singing groups.  His unofficial and unwritten, but clearly understood, rule was that when the church doors were open, the Yocum family was going in!  He loved his wife, kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but most importantly, he loved his Savior, Jesus Christ.  His death brings sorrow to his family and friends, but also great joy.  He is now enjoying his new body, reconnecting with family and friends, and meeting Jesus face to face. We also know he has joined the heavenly choir and is adding a little more oomph to the bass section.

Marvin is survived by his wife of 64 years Ruth; his son Mike (Carrie) Yocum (Winona Lake, Indiana); daughter Carol (Ron) Gradeless (South Bend, Indiana); son Tim (Cindy) Yocum (Winona Lake, Indiana); and his daughter Lisa (Rich) Burkhart (Florida).  He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, his brother A. Lynn (Mary) Yocum (Missouri), and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Lurlene Yocum, and his infant sister Betty Ann. 

Marvin’s life will be celebrated with a private family graveside service at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola, Indiana and officiated by his son, Mike Yocum.  Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.

Memorial donations may be directed to First Baptist Church of Mishawaka, 724 N Main St, Mishawaka, Indiana  46545; or to Grace College and Seminary, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana  46590 and would be appreciated by the family.

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