James Yackel

James Yackel obituary, Dyer, IA

James Yackel

James Yackel Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 11, 2025.
Dyer - James Yackel was known as an creative problem-solver with an unassuming style and great integrity. He was open to ideas from all sources, and was eager to work on projects of all types from home renovations to gardening to the day-to-day running of a university. When asked about the driving force for his life, he said it was to provide an education for those who can make use of it. He relished identifying talented individuals and helping them achieve success.

James William Yackel, aged 88, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on February 7, 2025. He was born on March 6, 1936 in the small town of Sanborn, Minnesota where he grew up fishing and hunting. After graduating from Sanborn High School, he went on to earn a BS, MS, and PhD in Mathematics at the University of Minnesota, where he met his wife Erna. It was love at first sight.

After a post-doctoral fellowship at Dartmouth, he settled in West Lafayette, Indiana where he and Erna raised a family. He worked as a Professor in the Statistics Department at Purdue University, where he had a distinguished career. He was named a fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science in 1988. In 1987, he moved to Purdue University's Calumet campus in Hammond, Indiana where he served as Chancellor from 1990 through 2001. He spent his retirement years in Dyer, Indiana.

James had a deep life-long religious faith. His church memberships include St. Peter's Lutheran church in Sanborn, Minnesota, First Baptist Church in Lafayette, Indiana, and finally Westminster Presbyterian Church in Munster, Indiana. He served in a great number of lay roles, including as deacon at the last two churches. His faith was quiet, yet powerful.

James Yackel is preceded in death by Erna Beth Yackel, his wife of 63 years, and survived by his brother John, his sister-in-law Clara Klatke, his children Jonathan (Lisa) Yackel, Juliet Yackel, and Carolyn Yackel (Bobby Stecher), his grandchildren Nathaniel, Sophia, Oliver, Grant, and Henry, and his step-grandchildren Trey, Charlotte, Amelia, and Riley.

Friends may visit with the family Monday, February 17, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 AM at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321. A memorial service will immediately follow at 11:00 AM at the church. kishfuneralhome.net

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

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February 20, 2025

Sara Fisher Ellison posted to the memorial.

February 16, 2025

Virginia Y Lorber posted to the memorial.

February 13, 2025

Sandy and Linda Kauffman posted to the memorial.

5 Entries

Sara Fisher Ellison

February 20, 2025

What a kind, gentle, thoughtful man. I remember him very fondly. And he had a profound impact on my career. My heart goes out to the family.

Virginia Y Lorber

February 16, 2025

Condolences to Juliet, Grant and Juliet“s brother and sister, and others. A loving family. Vonnie Lorber

Sandy and Linda Kauffman

February 13, 2025

We learned to know Jim and Erna at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Munster. We spent a lot of time talking together after church and in other social gatherings. We had a lot of respect for both of them.

Loving Light Dishgarden

Mercer Univ Mathematics Dept.

Sent Flowers

Joe Grzych

February 12, 2025

What an excellent teacher and nice man, helped me a lot in 'Statistics 301'! Bless you

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Kish Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Munster

10000 Calumet Ave., Munster, IN 46321

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Sign James Yackel's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

February 20, 2025

Sara Fisher Ellison posted to the memorial.

February 16, 2025

Virginia Y Lorber posted to the memorial.

February 13, 2025

Sandy and Linda Kauffman posted to the memorial.