Robert Wem 1931-2025

He was born in Youngstown, July 31, 1931.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Nellie Wem; his wife of 60 years, Doris Jean; his brother, Myron (Donna) Wem; and his sister, La Verne (Donald) DelFratte.

Leaving behind to cherish his memory are his three children, Cheryl (Richard) Camp of Manakin Sabot, Virginia, Darryl Wem of Austintown and Jeannine (John) Cooper, also of Austintown; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; sisters-in-Law, Marlene (William) Cohol and Grace (Andrew) Babinchak; and several nieces and nephews.

He was a five-year veteran of the U.S. Army, which included almost two years (713 days) as a Korean War POW while fighting with the 2nd Infantry “Indianhead” Division in Korea. Before that, he served as a member of Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s honor guard in Japan. His various awards include the Purple Heart Medal, the Korean Service Medal Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars and the Combat Infantryman Badge, and he met the criteria for The Prisoner of War Medal (established 1985). He attained the rank of sergeant with the Army.

After his discharge, he spent 35 years of service with the U.S. Post Office in Youngstown, retiring in 1986 as a supervisor.

Later, during his retirement, he and his wife, Doris Jean, traveled back and forth between Youngstown and Apache Junction, and then to Mesa, Arizona, for the sunshine and warm weather. It wasn’t long before they settled permanently in Arizona.

Doris Jean passed away in 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. In 2019, Robert moved back East to Midlothian, Virginia, where he resided for the remaining five years of his life.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Family and friends will be received 10 a.m. to noon Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, 4303 Mahoning Ave., with a memorial service to follow. Contributions can be made in Robert’s name to Disabled American Veterans of America (www.dav.org).

Arrangements were handled by Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel.

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