Leonard Ralph Yocum, 78, Creve Coeur, MO, a native of Osawatomie, died October 9, 2000, in Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. He died of complications after a fall while visiting family in California.

He was born May 26, 1922 in Osawatomie, the fifth of 10 children of Peter and Ada Yocum. His father died in 1928 and his mother raised her family through the Depression. Leonard attended Osawatomie High School and graduated with the Class of 1940.

He entered the U.S. Army at the start of World War II and served for the duration in the 3rd Army under Gen. George Patton. He served as a forward observer in the European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge, and earned the rank of captain. His combat medals included the Bronze Star and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. Other awards included the good conduct medal, American defense medal, American campaign medal, European campaign medal with four stars, World War II victory medal and the national defense medal.

After returning home he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia and received his bachelor's degree. He then attended night school at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, earning his law degree while working as a stock broker during the day.

Mr. Yocum moved to St. Louis, MO where he practiced law at Creve Coeur and Clayton. At the time of his death he was Of Counsel with the Clayton law firm of Nations and Mueller.

He met and married his wife, the former Marcella Neise, during the time he was working and studying to be a lawyer.

His memberships included the Missouri and St. Louis Bar Associations; Westborough County Club, Battle of the Bulge Society and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He was a past member of the Creve Coeur Lions Club and the Kansas City Metro Club where he served as president.

Survivors include his wife, Marcella Yocum, of the home; two daughters, Laura Stanton of Los Angeles, CA, and Sally Miller of Jackson Hole, WY; a son, David Yocum of Bell Canyon, CA. a sister, Nina Alsup of Ellinwood; and five granddaughters.

Memorial services were held in St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Creve Coeur. Military services were held in the Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA. Memorials were to the American Cancer Society.