Obituary: Jesse Lee “Papa Bear” Yocum

Retired Navy Veteran E6, Jesse Lee “Papa Bear” Yocum, of Waukesha, died on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family at the age of 68.

He was born in Avon, IL on March 24, 1944, the son of Dale and Margaret (nee Young) Yocum. He proudly served the U.S. Ggvernment and his country for more than 30 years between his civil service and active duty career with the U.S. Navy as a Seabee with mobile construction Battalion 58

He will be sadly missed by his wife Elvira of Waukesha, his baby girl, Baby Bear, his children: Dale Lee Yocum of Waukesha, Jessie Lee Yocum II of Armona, CA, Kimberly Ann Yocum of Armona, CA, Juanita Rivas of Carpentersville, IL and Jorge (Jessica) Rivera, Jr. of Waukesha, daughter-in-law, Michele Yocum of Burlington, NJ; his grandchildren: Johnathon, Stephen and Torilee Yocum, Jorge L. Rivera, Iliana Vargas Rivera, Michelle Rivas Rivera, Christian Angel Luis Rivera, Austin Jose Rivera, Izabella Estella Rivera, Max Logan Rivera and Antonio Hanke.  He is further survived by his brothers Norman (Paula) Yocum, Robert (Judy) Yocum and Harry Moore, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Elvira and Severo Mendez along with cousins, nieces, nephews, other special relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson Jesse Lee Yocum III.  

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Froedtert Hospital Clinical Cancer Center, Waukesha Memorial Hospital and Vitas Hospice for their special care of Jesse.   

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral service at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Graveside services with full military honors will immediately follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. If desired memorials are appreciated to Froedtert Hospital Clinical Cancer Center Faith Clinic, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226.

For further information, please call Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.