Robert J. “Bob” Yarbrough, 98, of Morrison, IL, died Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison.
Bob was born November 3, 1921, in Morrison, IL, to Glenn and Clara (Deelsnyder) Yarbrough. He was educated in the Morrison school system. On March 2, 1945, he married Pearl E. Housenga in Fulton, IL. Pearl died November 15, 2019. He served in the U. S. Navy as an Electrician’s Mate during WWII. Bob worked for Morrison Electric and bought out the business in 1951. He later changed the name to Yarbrough Electric, and he and Pearl operated it until their retirement. After retirement he continued to do small appliance repairs and wiring for his family and friends. On their 60th wedding anniversary, he surprised Pearl by having their vows renewed at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. He was a member of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison. Bob kept busy with wood working projects and building and selling table lamps with electrical meters. Bob and Pearl enjoyed taking trips to Wisconsin in their green Fiat, and he loved feeding the squirrels outside of his kitchen window. Bob participated in one of the first Honor Flights out of the Quad Cities.
Survivors include daughter, Debbie (Pete) Swearingen of Morrison; son, Mark (Becky Berning) Yarbrough of Galena, IL; son-in-law, Arnie Drolema of Morrison; five grandchildren, Andy Van Osdol, Adam Swearingen, Jacob Yarbrough, Emily Yarbrough, and Mitch (Myriah) Drolema; seven great-grandchildren, Taylor, Skylar, Schyon, Ella, Johnathan, Robert, and Millie.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl; daughter, Jan Drolema; sister, Marjorie Groezinger; brother, Howard Yarbrough; nephew, Gene Yarbrough.
Funeral services will be private, with Ken Renkes officiating.
There will be a Celebration of Life service held at a later date.
The Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
A memorial has been established by the family.