Delbert W. Yeakey
CAMP POINT, Ill. -- Delbert W. Yeakey, 90, Camp Point, died at 10 p.m. Sunday, (Aug. 2, 2009) in his home. Mr. Yeakey was born June 28, 1919, in Liberty Township in Adams County, a son of Frank and Myrtle Davis Yeakey. On Oct. 5, 1962, he married Doris Buskirk Lewis. She survives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by six stepchildren, Lowell Lewis and his wife, Carol, of Tulsa, Okla., Leroy Eugene Lewis and his wife, Jan, of McCausland, Iowa, Steven Lewis and his wife, Mary, of Salem, Mo., Janet Lewis of Lewisburg, W. Va., Davis Lewis and his wife, Patty, of Wichita, Kan., and Michael Lewis and his wife, Marilyn of McLeansboro; 16 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ruth Jud. Mr. Yeakey was sworn into the U.S. Army on Sept. 26, 1941, before World War II began. He served 5 1/2 years before the war ended and he was discharged on March 18, 1946. A master sergeant in the motor pool, he served in the anti-aircraft division in the European Theater. In 1943, he was transferred to the copper mines in Miami, Ariz. The government was running low on copper. Due to the war, there wasn't enough manpower to operate the mines. He stayed 18 months, working 1,000 feet underground setting blasts. Although he worked in the copper mines he remained a soldier in the Army. At the end of the 18 months, he was transferred back to his company, where he resumed his duties as shop foreman and did overhauls of all types of military vehicles. As shop foreman, Mr. Yeakey supervised the work of 12 mechanics, was responsible for 34 military vehicles for constant operation. Soon after reuniting with his company, they were shipped to the Aleutian Islands, where he remained until the war was over. Citations received included the Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, two Overseas Bars, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, the Alaskan Department Certificate of Commendable Service, the Illinois Certificate of Recognition for Meritorious Service by the Grateful Citizens of the state of Illinois, signed by Gov. Dwight Green. Upon returning home, Mr. Yeakey was road commissioner for Camp Point Township for 12 years before moving to Kellerville, where he and his wife, Doris, built and operated a grocery store and garage. Upon closing the store, he and his wife moved to a farm they had bought. In addition to farming, he worked as a carpenter and painter. Mr. Yeakey never lost his love for antiques. Having had an antique store before moving to Kellerville he continued to buy and sell. Another love was deer hunting. He enjoyed hunting other game, but deer topped the list. Mr. Yeakey belonged to the American Legion, the VFW, was a past member of the Camp Point Lions Club, the Sportsman Club, the Camp Point Business Association and was Precinct Committeeman for McKee Township. SERVICES: 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Lummis Hamilton Funeral Home in Camp Point with the Rev. Joe Tomich conducting. Burial with military honors by the Camp Point VFW Post 5410 will be in Evergreen Cemetery. VISITATION: 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Lummis Hamilton Funeral Home in Camp Point. MEMORIALS: To the charity of the donor's choice. ARRANGEMENTS: Lummis Hamilton Funeral Home, Camp Point.