John Carl Yagow, 82, of Altamont, went to his heavenly home at 12:50 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Johnny died peacefully at Missouri Baptist Hospital, St. Louis, surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, rural Altamont, with the Rev. Clayton Vail officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be conducted from 5 to 8 p.m. today, March 22, at Kull Funeral Chapel, Altamont. A second visitation will be from noon until service time Saturday at the church. Burial with military rites by the U.S. Marine Corp and VFW Post 7676 will be conducted in Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Altamont. For those who prefer, memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.kullfuneralhome.com.
John Carl Yagow was born July 9, 1930, in Effingham County, on the centennial farm in the Bethlehem Community near Altamont, one of six siblings into the Christian family of Carl and Martha (Meyer) Yagow. Johnny grew up on the family farm with his brothers, Walter and Erhard, and sisters, Hildegarde, Evelyn and Edith. He was a life member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he was baptized, confirmed his faith, married and now buried.
On Oct. 23, 1955, John married Lillian R. Heiden at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and she preceded him in death on Feb. 15, 2013. Together, John and Lillian were blessed with five children, Judy, Susan, Nancy, Steven and Jane. He was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. John was a farmer and shared with his wife the responsibilities of the farm and raising a family in a Christian manor. He served numerous positions in the church, enjoyed bowling, was member of Mill Road Thrashermen’s Association and VFW Post 7676 in Altamont, serving as funeral detail firing squad for numerous years. Johnny was very proud of his woodworking and loved to collect crystal and cut glass. A very significant part of his life was his duty to his country by serving and receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Marines in 1953. John served during the Korean War, however one can still hear his echo “Once a Marine, Always a Marine!”
He is survived by his son: Steven (wife, Shela) Yagow of Altamont, and son Scott (wife, Becky) and daughters Taylor and Lauren; four daughters: Judy (husband, Jeff) Lee of Villa Park, and daughter Jenni and great-granddaughter Emma; Susan O’Donnell of North Lake and son, Jason; Nancy (husband, Joe) Fillion of Plymouth, Wis., and sons, Bryan and Justin; Jane (husband, Tim) Laatsch of Altamont, and son, August, and daughter, Lily; three sisters: Hildegarde (husband, Vernon) Heichelbech of O’Fallon, Evelyn (husband, James) Shumaker of Altamont and Edith (husband, Richard) Miller of Altamont; and one sister-in-law, Miss Betty L. Heiden of Mason.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Martha (Meyer) Yagow; wife, Lillian R. Yagow; son-in-law, Paul O’Donnell; granddaughter, Jacki Lee; and brothers, Walter (wife, Theresa) Yagow and Erhard “Tex” (wife, Rebecca) Yagow.
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