VINTON: Darlene M. Williams Yerkes, 87, died June 22, 2011 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids following an extended illness.

     A Memorial Service will be held at 11am, Friday, July 15, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Vinton with Pastor Zach Zajicek officiating.  Friends may register from 10 am until service time. Private Committal Services will be held.

     Darlene was a triplet born to David and Minnie (Pruitt) Williams on August 28, 1923 in Cedar Township of Benton County.

     On February 12, 1945 she was united in marriage to Everett P. Yerkes in Vinton.  He preceded her in death on March 4, 1993.

     Prior to retirement, Darlene was employed as a Nurse's Aid and later an LPN at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton.  She was a member of First Baptist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #57 of Vinton.

     Darlene is survived by her daughters, Connie Richards of Sheridan, MT, and Marsha Hillestad of Iola, KS; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and her triplet sisters, Dorothy Hoover of Canyon City, CO and Doris Kruger of Omaha, NE.

     In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Ty Smith; her sisters, Helen Hurst, Charlotte Dake, Elsie Merchant, and Lola Burrell; and her brothers, Carl and Clyde Williams.