Yeager , Joseph

On November 22, 2017, Joe literally flew into the eternity of God on an American Airlines flight en route to visit his brother John for Thanksgiving. Joe told a flight attendant that he didn't feel well and collapsed. The family is grateful to all the people involved in the rescue efforts.

Joe was born to Robert and Delores Yeager on November 24, 1964 in Milwaukee. He grew up in Green Bay and graduated from Green Bay West High School. He completed degrees in Travel and Tourism from the College of DuPage (IL) and Mathematics from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

From little on Joe was fascinated with all things travel and visited different countries all over the world. He enjoyed returning to the College of DuPage to teach travel and tourism classes for many years. Joe belonged to the "Airliners Club" and shared his interest with many friends. Joe had his own travel business and his many faithful clients will miss his attention to detail.

Joe loved children, and as a young man worked summers at Bay Cliff Health Camp for children with disabilities. Joe worked 20 years as a substituted elementary school teacher in Illinois. He especially loved being "Uncle Joe" to his Yeager nephews John, Matt, Lucas, and Michael as well as his nieces Nora Lea and Dorothy Hearn.

Joe studied piano and organ and played for services at many churches in the Chicago area. His large garden was a defining feature of his life. He showed up before work to tend to his plants and share the rich bounty with many friends and acquaintances.

Joe's cheery smile and caring spirit will be missed by many people.

Joe is survived by his brothers, Charles (Annie) Yeager, and John (Debbie) Yeager; two sisters, Clare Yeager (special friend, Jerome), Helen (James) Hearn; stepparents, Mary Lea and Brad Jones; and his very special friend Ann Ducas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Dolores Yeager; aunts and uncles; and cousin, Mike Yeager.

Visitation at Blessed Sacrament Church, 825 N Webster Ave, Green Bay,WI. Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 am. Funeral 10:30 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Mike Scolare officiating. Burial at Greenwood Cemetery in DePere. Malcore (East) Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family with arrangements, 432-5579.

Please visit www.malcorefuneralhome.com to express online condolences.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund has been established at the funeral home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Green Bay Press-Gazette from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Yeager

Sponsored by Malcore Funeral Home and Crematory - East.

30 Entries

Elizabeth Haase

November 21, 2022

I think of Joe often. Our other Bay Cliff friend, Karen, just joined him this past October. I am sure that they are talking about all of the memories they had at camp.

Elizabeth Haase

November 19, 2020

I still miss Joe so much. He loved coming to visit my parents and myself. We lost my mother in 2017 and we just lost my father to Covid/stroke. Now they are all together speaking German to each other and that gives me great comfort.

Max Christensen

November 19, 2019

Hope you are watching over us, Joe!

Anne Linne

December 17, 2017

I was also a student at COD and enjoyed my classes with Joe immensely. His love of travel was contagious and everyone in the class felt it. My prayers go out to his family.

Ellen Mange

December 10, 2017

Joe will be so dearly missed by so many . Just reading all of the previous messages makes me realize what a positive impact he had on others all around him. I will miss his sweet smile, his wonderful stories of travel. I also met Joe at Bay Cliff Health Camp in the 1980's. He would visit my family and I when he was in the area and he was my travel agent on many former traveling trips. Loved him dearly. Lifting Joe's extended family and friends up in prayer. God Bless your soul, Joe!

Lucas Oosthuizen

December 8, 2017

I was a student of Mr. Yeager's at Lincoln Prairie school. Whenever I found out he was going to be subbing for another teacher who was out for the day, I got so exited to have Mr. Yeager! I liked having conversations with him about travel, as it was an interest we shared. All the students loved him, and he will be missed by all students and teachers here. My condolences to all his loved ones. Thank you for being such an amazing person Mr. Yeager

December 5, 2017

Mr. Yeager was loved by so many students. His bright smile and friendly face will be truly missed. He was not just a substitute teacher, he was a friend to all. The LP family will miss one of their own. Thank you, Mr. Yeager for touching so many lives.

Lincoln Prairie PTSA

Linda

December 1, 2017

I am so sad to hear about Joe. I am sure he will be missed by many, including his friends from the community garden. First to lend a hand, when anyone needed help. Incredibly generous, willing to share. Always smiling, caring for his garden, and others. Thankful that I knew Joe. Will miss him

Lunak

November 28, 2017

Mr. Yeager was a well loved sub and will be missed by the students! My daughters remembered how he would make them say "May I go to the bathroom?" and would have them give a shoe when they borrowed a pencil. They loved his stories and caring heart. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Terry Sampson

November 27, 2017

I never got to meet Joe in person but we had many long telephone conversations about our gardens. He was so proud of his peppers and tomatoes. He sent me a copy of the picture they printed in the paper of him at his gardens.

Joe helped me with my airline tickets and he always looked for the best deal for me.

My heart is sad as the world has lost one of the "good" guys. ... Joe will be missed by many people.

Linda McNally

November 27, 2017

Joe understood so well what is important. His family, his friends and making the time to connect with them. He was such a positive influence in my life, and I'm so grateful for the time we shared together. Godspeed my friend.

Chris Roskin

November 27, 2017

Joe will be truly missed. It was such a pleasure to get to know him every time he was at school. He loved sharing his experiences of his trips whenever we spoke. We shared a love of wine and I enjoyed hearing about his trips to wine country. My 3 boys loved him as their favorite sub at L.P. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Robin Biggs

November 27, 2017

He will truly be missed! He wasn't just a substitute teacher. He took the time to get to know the students and the families. I enjoyed passing him in the halls at my kids' school and would remember things we talked about in passing! Very enthusiastic and thoughtful!

Prayers to the family from the Biggs Family!

Deb Swanson

November 27, 2017

Joe was a man with so many positive attributes there would be too many to list. I will certainly miss his smiling face as well as stories of his travels and fondness for his family. He will be missed by his cohorts in Bensenville.

Vic & Mary Jo Van Gemert

November 27, 2017

Mary Lea, Brad, Helen, Claire, Charlie & John,
We were so sorry to hear about Joe. You will all be in our thoughts & prayers.
With Sincere Sympathy,

Rosa Ruiz

November 27, 2017

I was sad to hear of Joe's passing. He always had a friendly hello and a quick story to share. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. May he rest in peace.

November 27, 2017

Joe,

I will miss you. Always going the extra mile to help Johnson School, by taking back lunch trays to Carrie, taking off flyers from the walls, giving our kids spots at a glimpse of a smiling good morning greeting. Sharing your bounty of love, laughter and tomatoes from your Elmhurst garden. Tears of joy for you and tears of loss from us at WA Johnson in Bensenville, IL.

Sandy

Judy Gurga

November 26, 2017

Joe will be sadly missed. He was genuinely interested in others and happy to share about himself. I always liked when he peeked his head in my door to say hello when he was at my school. Somehow Rest In Peace doesn't seem right because I can't imagine Joe resting. Instead, Enjoy Your New Journey, Joe!

Alyssa Gordon

November 26, 2017

I'm so sorry for the loss of Joe. He was one of our favorite substitute teachers at Fairview School. He was always smiling, happy, and pleasant to talk to. We will greatly miss him!

Carol Scott

November 26, 2017

Will miss your Christmas letter, Joe. It was always full of your experiences throughout the year. Be at peace!

Max Christensen

November 26, 2017

I'll always remember you as a Young, funny and friendly spirit. Bless you and rest in peace.

Madge Rabby

November 26, 2017

Our entire family was stunned to learn of Joey's death. Barring weather conditions Madge and Lorry will be there for his memorial service. The rest of the family will be at work unfortunately. We all will miss Joey trememdously. God's blessings be with you all.

Mariel Volpe

November 26, 2017

Joe, you will be missed! Such a joyful person. You will always be in our hearts. My deepest sympathy to all the family.

November 26, 2017

Joe was the most wonderful substitute teacher I have ever had the pleasure of working with! He would always greet me with a cheery smile each day and we would always wish each other a good day as we headed out of the teacher's lounge. He truly cared for the children he worked with at our school. I loved it when he would sub for me and when I got to work alongside him in another classroom as well!
I can still hear his warm, friendly voice so fresh in my mind, as he'd greet me with a "Hello, Mrs. Zulkowski. How are you today?"
Joe, I will always remember you and I hope you know that you have touched the lives of countless teachers and students!
My thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones!

Mary Yetter

November 25, 2017

In loving memory of a wonderful person. I will miss Joe! He was such a positive influence in our school!

November 25, 2017

I am so sorry to hear that Joseph didn't make it. We did everything we could on the flight, and I hope your family finds comfort in that. Please know I have and will continue to pray for your family and Joseph's peace.

Elizabeth, John, and Jessica Haase

November 25, 2017

I met Joe at Bay Cliff Health Camp back in the 80's and I enjoyed his funny antics as Mrs. Joe and his clever Bay Cliff newsletter. We remained friends and kept in touch after Bay Cliff.

Later, Joe moved to Illinois and he literally lived 5 minutes from my parents' house! He visited me in Madison, WI and he I always saw him in Illinois when visiting my parents. Every summer, I would get to see Joe's wonderful garden and his cute little garden apartment.

Joe became friends with my parents and my mom would leave money for him at my hometown bakery (to buy special treats for himself) and Joe would drop off "little guys" (as my mom and him called them), which were little cherry tomatoes from his garden.

Every Christmas, Joe would come over to my parents' house after Christmas and he would love to share Christmas cookies and conversation. I will truly miss him this Christmas. I will also miss his Christmas letter and airline Christmas card.

Joe would always think of my family and me. He grew to know my husband and my daughter and he even babysat her once when she was younger. Joe was always remembering us on our birthdays and he always remembered me with that special Kirchbaum coffeecake. He enjoyed it too!

My husband sent an early birthday email to Joe on Nov. 21. Here was Joe's reply:
Thanks John for the message. I appreciate it. I will be going to Florida to see some family and friends over the holiday weekend. I look forward to the coming year! Joe

It was hard to read this, but in my heart, I know that our Joe is happy to be with his mother whom he lost at such a young age. I also feel that he is chatting with my mother (whom I lost on 1/5/17) and they are maybe even speaking German with each other. He also enjoyed trying his German out on my dad, who is from Europe.

Joe had some good advice for me the last time we spoke about a month ago (about my father's illness) and he was positive and comforting. I will always remember Joe's signature "sign off' when we said goodbye. "Auf Wiedersehen, Schuss!" I know that Joe and my mother will make sure to watch over us and keep us safe. I (we) look forward to the day that we meet again, my friend.

Debra Gordon

November 25, 2017

Joe was an amazing instructor and I was fortunate to be one of his students at the College of DuPage. I'm sure he's smiling about how many miles he's going to earn for his transition. We will miss him.

Lisa Lamp

November 25, 2017

Joe and I were both trainers for Apollo. He had such a passion for the travel industry and loved sharing it with the students. He loved teaching our international class. He would tell such wonderful stories of the places he had visited. His smile and laugh will be missed. Heaven has another star.

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