Richard D. “Whitey” Yetzer
Richard D. “Whitey” Yetzer, age 86, of Shelby, died Wednesday night, October 14, 2020 at his home with family by his side.
Whitey was born July 23, 1934 in Shelby to the late Urban and Hattie (Stephan) Yetzer. He attended and graduated from St. Mary School and was a 1952 graduate of Shelby High School. During his senior year at Shelby, Dick started working at Wilkins Air Force Depot where he met his future wife, Joan. Amongst other jobs throughout his life, Whitey worked at Ballonoff Home Products at the Depot and spent the majority of his career at MTD where he retired as a purchasing supervisor. However, he was never one to let grass grow under his feet. Whitey never stopped working and was a handy man who enjoyed keeping things up. After retirement he took up gardening and enjoyed growing beautiful roses. He loved Notre Dame football, to go bowling, golfing, fishing, or hunting, and was easily recognized by others as he traveled through town on his moped. He also thoroughly enjoyed playing euchre with his brothers and family. To know Whitey was to know a man with a friendly and outgoing personality who loved to tell stories and jokes and would share candy with everyone.
Dick loved his family dearly and would do anything to help them. They came first. Surviving him are his wife of 66 years, B. Joan (Liscano) Yetzer, whom he wed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Galion on June 5, 1954; his children: Paula Chope of Powell, Diane (Rand) Dittmar of Upper Arlington, Douglas Yetzer of Columbus, Philip (Carol) Yetzer of Bradenton, FL, and Brian (Daniela) Yetzer of Philadelphia, PA; 2 grandchildren: Katie Yetzer and Andrew Chope; his sister and brothers: Marge (Dick) Riley of GA, Tom Yetzer of Shelby, Robert Yetzer of Mansfield, and Jim (Betty) Yetzer of Shelby; 2 sisters-in-law: Kathe Yetzer and Mary Yetzer both of Shelby; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son-in-law: Ralph Chope; and siblings: Charles Yetzer, Patricia Reese, Mary Eileen Metzger, and Harold Yetzer.
Family and friends are welcome on Sunday, October 18, 2020 from 2-6 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where a rosary will be recited at 5:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 10:30 am at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, where he was a member, 29 West Street, Shelby. Fr. Chris Mileski will officiate, and burial will immediately follow in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the church and left in care of the funeral home.
It is requested by the family that those wishing to attend either calling hours or the funeral mass please wear masks. Appropriate ways to express sympathy for those unable to attend may be done by leaving an online condolence at www.PenwellTurner.com or by leaving a comment on Whitey’s obituary on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.
We are so sorry to hear this. Shared lots of laughs with Dick & Joan. RIP
Joan
So very sorry for the loss of Dick! He was a great guy who loved your Angel food cakes❤️❤️❤️
I’m So Sorry for the Passing of Mr.(Dick)Yetzer. I Knew him from Church and he was also my Supervisor at MTD. I’m so going to Miss him. He was a Special Man and Always made time to talk to me and ask about my Mom. My Heart Goes out to his Family! Prayers!!!!!
So sorry Joan and family for your loss. Hold onto all those precious memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Sorry to read Dick’s passing.Bill and myself sending our condolence to you Joan and all you family
Joan,
I am so sorry about Rich. You and your family have my deepest condolences. You will be in my prayers my friend. God Bless
To the Yetzer family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Whitey, he was such a kind and wonderful father. Sending sympathy and prayers.
Amy Albert Brown and Helene Albert
I never had the good fortune to meet this man. I play cards with Diane and if he raised such a nice girl, he must have been a fine man. My condolences to all of the family.
Betty Miller
Sorry to hear of the passing of your father. It is difficult to lose a parent. My condolences to the family. Sorry that it is happening at this time when it is difficult to get together with family and friends.
Andy and I were very saddened at the news of Dick’s passing. We will truly miss our visits and laughs with him and had more fun with him than just about anyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Our dearest Joan and family,
We are so sorry to hear this news.
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Heaven has gained another angel.
Our thoughts and prayers are going out to you all. It was always a joy working with Dick, his sense of humor along with a joke or story could always could brighten the day. Rest In Peace friend, you will be missed ❤️
Joan
So sorry to hear the passing of your beloved husband. You two were sure sweethearts I am happy to have met him
Pat Wilson
Joan, our prayers are with you and your family at this time of Richard’s death. We have many fond memories of visits to your home for wonderful meals and conversations. Of course, Richard always had a good story or joke… Laughter was never lacking.
Our love and prayer,
Sister Barbara and Sister Karen
To Joan and Family, so sorry to hear of the loss of Richard. He was a wonderful man. I will be praying for God to comfort you in this so very sad time.
Joan and Family……we are so saddened to hear the news of Whitey’s passing. We and many others will be missing such a wonderful man and friend. It’s been a pleasure knowing him and sharing email jokes. You have our deepest, most sincere sympathy and our prayers for comfort from our Lord, Jesus Christ. JoAnn & John
To the Yetzer family; my sincerest sympathy for your loss. You are all in my thoughts, and I wish you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
I am so sorry to hear of the lose of Rich. There were a lot of card games with him when we had the pleasure of spending time together at Diane and Rand’s house. Those get-togethers were always special and now even more so. I am one of Rand’s sisters and we think so highly of Diane and her family that this loss is felt by all of us, too. Thinking of you all during this time of sadness. Taffy
To the Yetzer family,
I am so sorry to hear of Whitey’s passing. I have many fond childhood memories of my Steele Ave. neighbors. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Andi Pettit Foreman
To the Yetzer Family, So sorry for your loss. MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU AND YOURS ALWAYS!!!!!
Joan and family, so sorry to hear of Dicks passing. He was definitely one of a kind. Always a smile and a joke, or story. He will be missed by so many. Prayers for your family.
Dear Paula,
Sending you my deepest condolences upon hearing about your dad passing away. May you find comfort in the Lord and with your family.
Sure will miss seeing Whitey in church! Always a silly grin and a punch. You are in our prayers.
Joan, so sorry for you and your family. I am glad that despite the miles, we got to meet and enjoy Richard and his humor and witty personality. He, and you and your family are an established part of Shelby’s past and history. He will be missed.
To the Yetzer family, I am so sorry for your loss. Dick was my boss at MTD years ago. He was an awesome guy. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Dick.