Former Mokena Fire Protection District Chief Del Yunker dies

Retired Mokena Fire Protection District Chief Del Yunker died Monday in his home. He joined the Mokena Fire Protection District in 1964 as a firefighter and served as chief from 1979 to 1991, when he retired.

Mr. Yunker's wife Joan survives along with two daughters, Karen McHenry and Kimberly Nave, two grandsons, Maverick and Dutch Nave.

Visitation for Mr. Yunker will be held from 2-9 p.m. May 17 at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 19604 Wolf Road, Mokena.  A funeral memorial is planned to begin at 10:30 a.m. May 18 at the funeral home.  For more information, visit the website at Vandenberg Funeral Home.

An active member of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce and Mokena Lions Club, "Del will be missed," said Gail Bastas, executive director of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce.

"Anyone who lives in Mokena or has a business in Mokena, knows what a loss this is to our community. Our love and prayers go out to Del's wife Joan, his daughters Kim (John) Nave and Karen (Frank) McHenry, and his grandsons Dutch and Maverick," added Bastas in an email.

Bastas remembers Yunker and wife Joan as friends and supporters of Mokena.  A lifelong resident of Mokena and graduate of Lincoln-Way High School, Yunker was instrumental in the operation of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce's annual food and wine festival.  A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Yunker worked at the family business, Clyde Yunker Plumbing before joining the fire protection district.

"He was like a gentle giant. He always had a smile on his face," Bastas recalled. He and his wife loved being with the family and their grandsons.

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