Isabel Yochem Obituary

Isabel (Hannah) Yochem, 98, of the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Wilkes-Barre on Oct. 5, 1917, a daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Pyatt Newman.

A graduate of Coughlin High School she was formerly employed by Woodlawn Dairy and Gorham's Dairy.

She was a lifelong and the oldest living member of the Parsons Primitive Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Ladies Aid Society and Sunday school. Isabel, or Nana, as she was known, loved spending time with and baking for her church family as well as her family, friends and neighbors.

Nana had a big part in raising her grandchildren. She loved to tell them stories of her life growing up as a child and she loved traveling to Erie a few weeks out of the year to spend time with her daughter, Jane, and her family. Anytime someone would say the word shopping she had her shoes ready to go. Recently she started to prepare meals for the Catherine McAuley House and helped her church receive a "Spirit of Generosity Award." She loved entertaining her close friends, having luncheons and going out for the day.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Yochem; grandchildren, John Allen and Karen Watkins; and brothers, Fred and Jack Newman.

Surviving are her daughter, Mary Claire Watkins, Wilkes-Barre; twin daughters, Jean Allen, Wilkes-Barre; and Jane Olexa, Erie; grandchildren, John Watkins, Joyce Allen, Denise Sebald and her husband, Tom, Cathy Shepard and her husband, Mike, Ken Olexa and his wife, Renae, and Patricia Castano Allen, wife of deceased grandson John Allen; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in Parsons Primitive Methodist Church, 193 Austin Ave., Wilkes-Barre. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Andy Jerome, pastor.

Interment will be in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at E. Blake Collins Funeral Home, 159 George Ave., Wilkes-Barre, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to the Parsons Primitive Methodist Church, 193 Austin Ave., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.eblakecollins.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Citizens Voice on Jan. 1, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Isabel Yochem

10 Entries

Sandy Brown Jennings

February 7, 2016

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

wallen

January 4, 2016

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

Jennie Arent

January 3, 2016

My thoughts and prayers to Isabel's family. What a wonderful woman. I am honored to have gotten to know her. The world just got a little smaller without her.
I will always remember that BEAUTIFUL smile.
She will be missed~Jennie(lobitz&lombard)

Florence Mokris

January 3, 2016

My deepest sympathy on the loss of your mom!There are no words to express the sadness I feel. I will remember her as a beautiful person, so gentle and always so kind to me!

Richard/Dot Evans & Family

January 2, 2016

So sorry for your great loss. To know her was to love her. She was an inspiration and perfect example of what a child of God is.

Sherry Hess

January 1, 2016

What a wonderful woman. I'm very happy to have known her.

January 1, 2016

Jean and maryclair I was sorry to hear about your mother. maureen metzger

Karen Jennings Kluk

January 1, 2016

My deepest sympathy to the family. May God comfort you in this time a great sadness.
Isabel was a wonderful woman. I have many fond memories of her from my childhood. She always had a smile and made me feel like part of her family. Rest in peace Isabel. This is not good bye but until we meet again. Say hello to my grandparents for me.

Marcia Lowe

January 1, 2016

I'm so sorry for your loss. Lots of love.

December 31, 2015

Please accept my sincerest condolences. May God and your fond memories bring your family peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Ms porter

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