Earl M. Yerk

Earl M. Yerk, 94, passed away March 2, 2016, at 7:45 p.m. at White Oak Health Campus in Monticello, Indiana surrounded by his family. Earl was born August 21, 1921, in El Paso, Illinois to John Elmer Yerk and Rose Etta (Armstrong) Yerk. He attended school at the Hollstem School in Cook County, Illinois. In Deselm, Illnois, on October 30, 1948, he married the love of his life, Wynona M. Rogers. Earl and Wynona moved to the Wolcott area in 1949 and started farming and raising a family. Earl was a life-long farmer and lived and farmed in the Wolcott area for 67 years. Along with farming, he supported his family with winter jobs at the RCA plant in Monticello, Overmyer Farms, and Monon Trailer, where his skills in welding and fixing anything mechanical was put to great use. He was an expert mechanic and enjoyed mowing his 3 acres. After retirement, Earl and Wynona wintered in Florida for 25 years. Earl cherished his family and enjoyed times spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Earl served in the U. S. Army, stationed in New Jersey and serving at a base that housed German WWII prisoners. One of the great thrills of Earl’s life was the opportunity to participate in the Lafayette Honor Flight in April 2015. Earl and dozens of other veterans (mostly WW II) were able to fly to Washington, D.C. and participate in ceremonies honoring their service and sacrifices for their country. Surviving with his loving wife Wynona are their children, Peggy (Ron) Schuh of Remington, Carol (Jim) Budzynski of Carmel, John (Cheryl) Yerk of Wolcott, and Juanita (Kevin) Claton of Sawyer, Michigan, 12 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Also surviving are his siblings. LaVerne Yerk of Monticello, Cletus (Christine) Yerk of Lafayette, Bernice Yerk Green of Monticello, and Gene (Marlene) Yerk of Monticello. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ivan Yerk. Friends will be received at the Palestine Christian Church (7275 W. 400 N., Wolcott, Ind.), on Monday, March 7, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. EST at the Palestine Christian Church with Pastor Guy Brown officiating. Burial with Military Honor’s will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery (8435 W. State Road 114, Rensselaer, Ind.). In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Palestine Christian Church or the Honor Flight of Greater Lafayette, P.O. Box 275, Lafayette, Ind. 47902-0275.

Earl M. Yerk

August 21, 1921 - March 2, 2016