Cj Yager

CJ Yager

CJ Yager, 96, died on July 22, 2025, while in rehabilitation. A child of the Depression, he was born on December 13, 1928, the third of eight children, to Edward M. Yager and Alice C. (Meiring) Yager, both children of German immigrant farmers. This upbringing, like so many of his time, never brought worldly riches, but instead the closeness and love of family that built the foundation for a rich life full of love, faith, and laughter lived in tune with the changing seasons.

He attended St. Charles Borromeo elementary school, walking to school with his siblings. Later, CJ (affectionately called "Peanut") attended Central Catholic High School, class of 1948, where his architectural drafting classes stoked a lifelong passion and career that he relished into his late 80s. His first job was in the drafting department of Surface Combustion Company during WW II, where he met his former wife, Mary Tidwell Yager, who also was a draftsman. In November 1950, he was drafted into the army during the Korean conflict where he served honorably, including on the front lines for months and a stint as a POW. The bitter winter of 1951-52 there never dampened his love of the cold, snowy season. While on leave, he and Mary were married at St. Charles on March 22, 1952. Later that year he was discharged with a case of malaria and suffered through a weeks' long ship ride over the Pacific to California, then a train ride back to Kentucky, before finally returning to the Toledo area where he lived the rest of his life.

In August 1953, his first and only child, Anne Elizabeth Yager, was born, who instantly became the apple of his eye, and who he spent the next 72 years bragging about - as he told it, there was never a better baby than Anne. CJ spent years working at the small architectural firm of Hoke & Nickerson Architects on Jefferson Ave, Toledo. Karl Hoke took him under his wing where his love of design was cultivated. With an expertly artistic hand, he loved the process of turning careful working drawings into beautifully crafted homes. Eventually, CJ left the firm and joined with a builder he'd come to know in the business, Dawson-Yager, Inc. They designed and built many houses and small commercial buildings, eventually expanding into subdivision work including Three Meadows, Brandywine, Waterbury and others. It wasn't until macular degeneration stole his sight that he finally turned off the drafting light for good when he was almost 90.

Sports were always a passion for CJ, both playing and coaching CYO basketball and later played semi-professional basketball and softball. He was a lifelong Yankee fan, took up golf and tennis, but nothing was dearer to his heart than snow skiing. Northern Michigan at Nub's Nub was his favorite, but loved Colorado and the East also. His skiing ended at age 87, when he slipped on ice trying to save his coffee and donut outside a coffee shop. His shoulder replacement left him with a damaged arm that prevented him from hitting the slopes. However, he continued to have vivid dreams of skiing often.

CJ's family meant everything to him. He always said he loved nothing more than making all five of his sisters laugh. He and his older brother Joe, just two years apart, had innumerable escapades with building go-carts, skating rinks, and ski slopes. They encouraged their youngest brother, Don, to follow as he joined the family. Later in life, CJ and Don began to join their sisters' monthly dinners until his last outing at Rosie's with them a week before his death. He was an enthusiastic father, uncle, grandfather and even great-grandfather, as no one enjoyed having fun, playing sports, or holding a baby more than him. His favorite holiday by far was Christmas, loving everything about it. He loved the music and shopping, driving all over NW Ohio to find gifts on his granddaughters' lists in snow storms. Each gift was always exquisitely wrapped with a special ornament attached. His gift tags read "Santa."

Survivors include daughter, Anne Yager (Frank Beans); their daughters and husbands, Caroline (Dave) Riley, Laura (Dave) Beans Sika, and Elizabeth Beans (Alec Cohn); and great-grandchildren, Beatrice Riley, Teddy Sika, and Henry Sika. Also CJ's three youngest siblings, Ursula (Jack) Mattimore, Eleanor Bunte, and Donald Yager, survive. He leaves behind thirty-nine loving nieces and nephews and their spouses, who he cherished. He also grew to love the entire Beans clan, spending later holidays with them and welcoming them into his circle with a Manhattan in hand.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Mary; and his longtime companion, Paula Robie; as well as siblings and in-laws, Theresa Musch, Nelson Musch, Joseph Yager, Dorothy (Leonard) Yager, Angela Badik, Julius "Mickey" Badik, Mary Wagner, Byron "Barney" Wagner, and Norman Bunte.

Family and friends are invited to visit Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd, Toledo, 43614, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 3-6 p.m., and at Saint Rose Catholic Church, 215 E. Front St., Perrysburg, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 10 a.m., preceding the 11 a.m. Funeral Mass. Burial will be at St. Rose cemetery, with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Metroparks Toledo Foundation or Central Catholic High School Foundation and Scholarship Fund, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Please view CJ's video tribute and leave a condolence message at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

www.coylefuneralhome.com