Richard J. Yankel passed away peacefully on Saturday September 26, 2026, at Heritage Manor.

He was born on July 20, 1931, in a house on Bright Ave. 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 attended John Carroll University for one year where he played football as an Offensive lineman.

He was drafted into the US Army and proudly served from Feb.29, 1952 until March 1, 1954, during the Korean War.

He was first sent to jump school in Fort Benning, Georgia and as a paratrooper 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.

He received an honorable discharge, after the army he attended Youngstown State University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He worked in Youngstown Sheet & Tube as a foreman where he retired at their closure and then worked various small jobs until permanent retirement.

Richard’s hobbies were making homemade beef jerky and kielbasa.

He was a sports fan cheering on his Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians (Guardians) and Notre Dame, and 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 his wife Dorothy Lucas Yankel on November 12, 1955, and had five children. She passed away on August 4, 2016.

He leaves behind his family, James (Tea) Yankel of Sugarcreek Twp. OH, Victoria (David) Patrick of Austintown, Richard (Charlene) Yankel of Poland, Michael (Lori) Yankel of Macomb Twp. MI, and John Yankel of Petersburg, OH.

He also leaves his grandchildren; Christine Yankel, Michael (Jessica) Yankel, Erica (Ryan) Everett, Ryan Patrick (fiancé Kristin Osiniak), Sarah Patrick, Jared (Lindsay) Patrick, Melissa (Chad) Knapp, Michael (Alison) Yatsco and Jackson Yankel. 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 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. on Friday October 2, 2026, at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman,

and calling Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, St. Charles Church 7325 Westview Dr. Boardman, OH.

Interment will take place at St. John’s Cemetery with Military honors.

Monetary donations can be made at the funeral home in Richard’s name to Heritage Manor Nursing Home, 517 Gypsy Lane Youngstown, Ohio 44504.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. Boardman.