Agnes Darlene "Mema Tootie" Yocum,
age 72, of Valparaiso passed away late Saturday October 19, 2013 at Porter Regional Hospital. She was born August 10, 1941 in Pennsylvania to the late Roy and Morna (Tressler) Steighner. She was a homemaker and proud member of the American Legion Post #502 Women Auxiliary. She was the unit historian and chairman of the poppy committee. She was also a member of the Indiana American Legion Riders.
Tootie is survived by her three loving children Morna Fleischman of Valparaiso, Debbie (Eric) Felders of Portage and Clint (Daniele) Yocum of Burns Harbor; five grandchildren Melissa (Justin) Kinder, Marcus and Nicholas Bravo, Brazley and Allyson Yocum; three great grandchildren Cameron and Tyler Lopez-Bravo and Brayden Kinder; two brothers Earl (Bridget) Slease of Lake Station and Harry Steighner of Valparaiso, two sisters Elinor Iliff of Valparaiso and Tammy Cox of Illinois; two step sisters Laura Johnson of Florida and Kathy Searle of Ohio; and many nieces, nephews and loving friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harvey Dale Yocum, her parents, two stepmothers Millie and Mable Ruth Steighner; two brothers Sonny and Bobbie Steighner and one sister Theresa Steighner.
She was the most generous, loving, unselfish woman you ever met. "No" was not in her vocabulary. She was known as Tootie to many, Agnes to others, and Mema to those closest. Gramma took on many names and titles and loved being each and every one of them.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Friday October 25, 2013 at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel 600 W. Old Ridge Road with pastor Bob Burton officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso. Visitation will be on Thursday from 2-8 pm at the funeral home with a 7 pm American Legion Auxiliary Memorial Service.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Indiana Veterans Home in lieu of flowers. For additional information please call (219)942-2109 or go online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.