Obituary of Michael Yanak

Michael M. Yanak Age 84 of County Line Drive, Big Flats, NY passed away at home on Wednesday, January 16, 2013. Mike was born in Scranton PA to Michael and Lucy (Martin) Yanak on April 21, 1928. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph; sisters, Lucy Ardizzone and Gladys Mintz. His surviving family includes his wife, Grace Nolan Yanak; daughters and sons, Barbara (Robert) Wywiorski of Towanda, PA, Claire (Jay) Ringel of Marlton, NJ, Michael (Maureen) Yanak of Mt. Laurel, NJ and Susanne (Brian) Godau of Montville, NJ; grandchildren, Jessica and Thomas Ringel, Kirsten, Paige and Kyle Godau. After moving to New Jersey, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology with a degree in Chemical Engineering and was employed as a research Chemist at INCO where he retired early. While there, he developed and published a number of procedures for X-ray Spectroscopy of metals and alloys. He later worked as Lab Manager at IST in Horseheads, NY. Mike was a veteran of the US Army Air Force serving from 1947-1952 having achieved the rank of Tech Sergeant. He was member and past president of Big Flats Lions Club; in addition to being a Lion in the West Milford, NJ Lions Club for many years. At one time, he was also President of the West Milford Volunteer Fire Department and served as Scoutmaster for Troop #114 in West Milford. While living in West Milford, he became a charter member of Father Francis Koch Council 6342 of the Knights of Columbus. Until quite recently, Mike very much enjoyed bowling, especially with the Senior Bowling League in Corning and traveling with his wife, Grace. He was also a communicant of St. Mary Our Mother Church in Horseheads. Family and friends are invited to call at the Barber Funeral Home, 413 South Main Street, Horseheads on Friday, January 18, 2013 from 6-8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 10:00 am in St. Mary Our Mother Church, 816 West Broad Street, Horseheads. We wish to thank Dr. Rogers and his staff for the excellent caring ways in which Mike was treated for many years. Anyone wishing to honor Mike’s memory, is asked to donate to CareFirst, (formerly Hospice), 11751 East Corning Road, Corning, NY 14830. www.barberfuneralhome.com