Rita Marie Yocum (87) of Effingham

Rita Marie Yocum, 87, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022 at her home in Effingham surrounded by her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, followed by a 7:00 p.m. rosary at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

Memorials may be made to Fear Nothing or Sacred Heart Church. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Rita was born April 14, 1935, in Effingham, IL, the daughter of Ralph and Caroline (Hook) Loy. She married Robert Yocum November 27, 1954 and he preceded her in death.

In her early years, she was a waitress and the school cook. Later she was employed at JCPenney where she retired after 20 years of employment. Rita loved her family and they meant everything to her. She enjoyed playing cards, fishing, and going to ballgames. She loved to sew and made several quilts for her kids and grandkids. Her favorite tradition was making Christmas cookies with her grandkids. Rita’s favorite teams were the Cubs, Illini and Bears and she hardly missed a game. But she really enjoyed cheering on her grandkids and many great nieces and nephews in whatever sport they were playing. Rita was very compassionate and always saw the good in everyone.

Rita is survived by her sons, Phillip (wife Tonya) of Mason, David (wife Gail) of Granville, Mike of Effingham, Todd (wife Vicki) of Edgewood; daughter, Kathleen (husband Shane) Smith of Edgewood; sisters, Virginia Wendt of Watson, Mary Lou Yocum of Edgewood, Susan (husband James) Feldhake of Effingham, and Judy (husband David) Ochs of Bulverde TX; and many grandkids, great-grandkids and great-great grandkids.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son Greg; daughter Nancy; brother Robert Loy; sister Irene Pocrnich; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.