Emily Yochum, 101, of Whitewater, died May 24, 2014, at home. She, and her twin sister Florence Peterson were born to the late Florence and William Eustis on April 14, 1913, in Southington, Conn.
She attended school in Plantsville, Conn., and graduated from Rider College in Trenton, N.J. Emily taught school in several communities in New Jersey throughout her teaching career.
She married Daniel Yochum on July 23, 1937. One of the things that attracted him to her was that he had a car and that they enjoyed driving through the New Jersey countryside. After their marriage they lived in Trenton, where they had their first son Daniel.
The family moved to Drexel Hill, Pa., where David was born. In 1947, they moved to Pennsauken, N.J., (next to Camden) where they lived until 1975.
Emily taught in the Merchantville High School from 1954 to 1972, when she retired. Dan and Emily moved to Clearwater, Florida in 1975 and were soon joined by Emily’s sister, Florence, who lived in a nearby apartment.
After her husband Dan died in 1988, Emily continued to live in Clearwater until coming to Fairhaven in Whitewater in 1990. Both sisters, being very practical, left Florida at age 88 to be near to family.
Emily was a member in the First United Methodist Church of Merchantville, N.J., Union St. Methodist Church in Clearwater, Fla., and the Congregational Church – United Church of Christ in Whitewater. She was an active member in each congregation. Her church involvements included church schoolteacher and women’s circles.
Her high school classmates called her “Emmy Lou” and remarked how she liked to socialize at parties. Emily thrived on personal contacts afforded by a variety of social outlets.
She was physically active enjoying swimming and walking especially on the beach. She enjoyed playing golf but not keeping score. She played cards frequently for the social contact but she always considered herself a poor card player. She enjoyed a number of close friendships in her communities.
She was further preceded in death by her twin sister Florence.
Survivors include her sons, Daniel (Janis) Yochum of Congress, Ariz., and David (Marcia) Yochum of Whitewater; grandsons, Steven (Sarah) Yochum of Chanhassen, Minn., and Jeffrey Yochum of Milwaukee; and great-grandchildren, Simone Emily Yochum and Finn Brady Yochum.
A memorial service will be held at Fairhaven Retirement Community at a future date. Memorials may be made to the Fairhaven Foundation or a charity you passionately support.
The Olsen Funeral Home, Jefferson, is assisting the family.
