DONALD R. "YOGI" YOAKEM

DONALD "YOGI" YOAKEM Don "Yogi" Yoakem, age 74, of Cottonwood Falls, died Saturday, July 2, 2011, at Stormont Vail Health Center in Topeka, KS. A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, July 9, at 10:00 A.M., at the Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home in Cottonwood Falls. Pastor Warren Olson will officiate. Don has been cremated and his ashes will be scattered at a later date. The son of Elmo R. and Ruby V. McCabe Yoakem, Donald Ray was born March 7, 1937, in Strong City, Kansas. He graduated from Chase County Community High School in 1956 and attended one year of college. He was a mechanic at the family-owned Yoakem Garage in Cottonwood Falls, KS. He married Anita Dewitt on April 22, 1989, on the river bridge in Cottonwood Falls, KS. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. During his lifetime, he was a certified scuba diver (Chase County Search and Rescue), Fire Chief for Cottonwood Falls, and owned and flew his own plane. He was one of the best bowsers at "witching" (finding) water to drill a well and he would go wherever he was needed. He was a past member of the Lions Club and was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Cottonwood Falls. He enjoyed country music. He is survived by his wife, Anita, of the home; a son, Lance Yoakem of Dallas, Georgia; a daughter, Elexia Yoakem-Goff of Acworth, Georgia; a sister, Lucille Robinson of Burns, Kansas; and seven grandchildren: Allyson Goff, Daniel Goff, Ashlyn Goff, Madison Yoakem, Olivia Yoakem, Kinsley Yoakem, and Noah Yoakem. He was preceded in death by his parents and his twin brother, Ronald Yoakem. The family will greet friends from 10:30 until 11:30, after the service, on Saturday. Friends may call Friday, 10:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., at the funeral home. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Stormont Vail Foundation Care Line (provides funds to pay for housing in a hotel for families of Stormont Vail patients) or to the Chase County Emergency Services. These may be sent in care of the funeral home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, KS. 66845.

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