William Yakel

William “Elvis” Yakel Jr., of Coloma, left us on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M., October 16, 2010 at St. John’s Catholic Church 600 Columbus in Benton Harbor, MI with Fr. William Jacobs Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview cemetery on Niles Ave. On Friday, October 15, 2010, friends may visit from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., with prayers recited at 7:30 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road in St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign the memory book on-line, may do so at www.starksmenchinger.com. Bill was born December 20, 1942 in Chicago, IL to William and Francis (Zilkowski) Yakel. A long-time resident of Benton Harbor, Bill graduated form Benton Harbor High School in 1961. A loyal and devoted husband, Bill married Sharon Yakel, his life-long partner, on May 10, 1969. Bill was employed by Meijer Supermarket in Benton Harbor. With a warm smile and a hearty laugh, Bill welcomed everyone into his life. Gifted with an amazing singing voice and a wonderful sense of humor, Bill developed a stage performance based on his idol, Elvis Presley. While performing in venues for birthday parties or at the Venetian Festival, Bill never failed to garner a smile or a tear with each heartfelt melody. He often performed at children’s hospitals and retirement homes for the modest reward of bringing smiles to tired faces and high spirits to suffering souls. As a devoted Catholic, this was Bill’s calling and he drew great satisfaction in the effort. William is survived by: his three beautiful daughters: Jennifer (Patrick), Jessica (Nick) and Jaime (Jimmy), Five grandchildren: Melanie Beth & Matthew Doljanin, Ethan Morrison, Elizabeth Spencer and Nickolas Jones Jr., Two brothers: Paul (Pam) Yakel of Benton Harbor, John (Michelle) Yakel of Benton Harbor, and sister: Barbara Harmon of Benton Harbor. William was preceded in death by his parents and sister Rose Marie Yakel.