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AUSTINTOWN - Richard J. Yankel passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at Heritage Manor.
He was born on July 20, 1931, in a house on Bright Avenue in Campbell, to his parents, the late John and Mary Margala Yenkal.
Richard attended Ursuline High School, where he played football and graduated in 1949.
He then attended John Carroll University for one year, where he played football as an offensive lineman.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served from Feb. 29, 1952, until March 1, 1954, during the Korean War.
Richard was sent to jump school in Fort Benning, Georgia, where, as a paratrooper, he made 14 jumps from a plane. He was then stationed at Fort Richardson in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he performed additional jumps and assignments in the wilderness. Alaska was where he drank his one and only cup of coffee.
After having received an honorable discharge from the Army, he attended Youngstown State University, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He worked as a foreman at Youngstown Sheet & Tube, retiring at their closure, and then went on to work in various small jobs until his permanent retirement, where he focused on his hobbies, making homemade beef jerky and kielbasa. He was also a sports fan, cheering on his Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians (Guardians) and Notre Dame; and he loved listening to Polka while enjoying a beer.
Richard was a kind, generous man who was loved by everyone. He was fun and loved to joke with people, making them laugh and smile.
He married Dorothy Lucas Yankel on Nov. 12, 1955, and they had five children. She passed away on Aug. 4, 2016.
He leaves behind his family: his children, James (Tea) Yankel of Sugarcreek Township, Victoria (David) Patrick of Austintown, Richard (Charlene) Yankel of Poland, Michael (Lori) Yankel of Macomb Township, Michigan, and John Yankel of Petersburg; his grandchildren, Christine Yankel, Michael (Jessica) Yankel, Erica (Ryan) Everett, Ryan Patrick (fiancee, Kristin Osiniak), Sarah Patrick, Jared (Lindsay) Patrick, Melissa (Chad) Knapp, Michael (Alison) Yatsco and Jackson Yankel; and his great-grandchildren, Nora and Emma Yankel, Mallory, Vincent and Nicholas Everett, Olivia Knapp and Penelope Yatsco.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Lucas Yankel; his parents; and his brother, Eugene J. Yankel.
The Yankel family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to Dr. Icli and the entire staff at Heritage Manor Nursing Home for their excellent and compassionate care to our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Richard, during the past four years, and to the entire staff at Harmony Hospice Care.
Family and friends may call from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at the Fox Funeral Home, Boardman. There will also be calling hours from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Saturday morning, Oct. 3, 2026, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish-St. Charles Church, 7325 Westview Drive, Boardman.
Interment with military honors will take place in St. John's Cemetery.
Monetary donations can be made at the funeral home, in Richard's name, or to Heritage Manor Nursing Home, 517 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, OH 44504.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman.
Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences to the family.
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