Rev. Donald M. Yaekle

The Reverend Donald M. Yaekle, 93, of Pataskala peacefully passed away at home on March 30, 2015 following an extended illness. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, April 3, 2015 at St. John's United Church of Christ, 285 W. National Drive, Newark, Ohio with Rev. Mark Katrick as celebrant. Burial will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday, April 2, 2015 at the McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home, 133 S. Prospect St., Granville.

The Rev. Yaekle was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 30, 1921. He was a graduate of Bexley High School; Capital University, Columbus, OH; Eden Seminary, St. Louis, MO and Boston University Graduate School of Theology. He was ordained a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in his home church, St. John's UCC Columbus in 1946.

Following his ordination he served churches in Olney, Il, Acton Center, MA, and Lawrenceburg, IN before serving St. John's UCC in Lorain, Ohio for 31 years, retiring in 1986. In 1989, he and his wife, Sylvia moved to Pataskala where he continued an active ministry providing interim pastoral services to area churches.

Rev. Yaekle's service to the greater church and community included serving as a Delegate to the UCC General Synod, terms as Chairman of the Christian Education Department, Missions Priority Department and Nominating Committees of the UCC Western Reserve Association and the establishment of UCC's Temple Hills Ohio Church Camp. He served on the District Board of Boy Scouts of America, was President of Lorain Rotary Club, Lorain Ministerial Association, and a Member of the Board of Directors of Lorain Neighborhood House.

Rev. Yaekle is survived by Sylvia, nee Rudolph, his wife of 69 years and sons Gary (Beth) of Granville, Ohio and Paul (Brenna) of Phoenix, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Matilda (nee Kirschner) Yaekle and step-grandson Todd Engelhardt. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials contributions be made in his name to St. John's UCC Church, Newark Ohio or Hospice of Central Ohio.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.