John Wesley Yarbor

Rev. John Wesley Yarbor went home to be the Lord Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at Oakview Heights with his family at his side.

He was born in rural Keensburg, Illinois, the son of William “Red” Richard Jackson and Ona Minnie (Woods) Yarbor.  John attended school at Upper Hills School, Gibson County, Indiana, and Keensburg School, and, was a graduate of Assemblies of God Central Bible College, Springfield, Missouri.

John was a World War II and Korean War Veteran.  In Korea he served in the 24th Infantry Division, Co.  C’s elite 5th Regiment combat team.  Military medals awarded were:  Good Conduct, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation with Germany Clasp, Purple Heart, American Campaign, Korean Service Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.  John was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He married Bessie Lou Barber at the Mt. Carmel Grace Memorial Church on October 30, 1948, with attendants Maxine and Albert Meier, Jr.  They have two sons:  Wesley Martin and John William Yarbor.

John worked at Carlton Ford Motor Company before starting his own business, A-1 Auto Service.  From 1965 to 1976, he taught Ag-Mechanics at Wabash Valley College, where in 1973, he was chosen favorite teacher of the year.

While pastoring in Missouri, he concurrently conducted revivals in Illinois and Kansas, and held tent revivals in the Springfield, Missouri area.  In Illinois, he pastored the Flora First Assembly God Church, the Grayville Ridge Baptist Church and the Mt. Carmel Pentecostal Assembly of God Church, where in 1988 he retired from pastoring.  Afterwards he was guest speaker for pastors at local and southern Indiana churches.    Rev. John was a volunteer at the Heartland Worship Center and Bridges of Hope Food Ministry.  He was an avid Bible Scholar, fisherman, gardener, and a talented musician-playing the guitar, mandolin, accordion and piano.  John enjoyed vacations with family.

He is survived by his wife Bessie, of 70 years; sons, Wesley Yarbor and wife Cindy of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and John William Yarbor and wife Teresa (Burkett) of Bloomfield, Indiana; grandchildren, John Andrew “Andy” and Alex Nolan Yarbor; several nieces and nephews; and, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; twin brother and sister, Virgil and Virginia, who died in infancy; brothers, William Benjamin Yarbor and Max Yarbor, and sisters, Helen Houchins and Marguerite Stewart.

Visitation for Reverend Yarbor will be Saturday, May 18, 2019, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Heartland Worship Center, 212 West Second Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  The funeral will follow at 3:00 p.m. with burial at Highland Memorial Cemetery.          

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the United States of America Military Veterans, Wabash County Senior Citizens Center or Heartland Worship Center.  Envelopes will be available at the church and at Short Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank the VA Home Primary Care Team and Addis for caring for John the last few years, especially Candy Vetters of Addis and nurses from VA Home Primary Care.  Also Jackie Knight and Norman Brunson for all they did for John.  Thank you to those who mowed the yard (Loren Deisher and Earl Sherman), sent food, greetings, prayed and called.  There were many others who helped—too numerous to name everyone.  Please don’t feel slighted if your name was not mentioned, for whatever you did, everything was greatly appreciated.  Also, this week, Dr. McCain, the staff of Wabash General Hospital and Oakview for the care you gave our loved one and us.  God bless each of you.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

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