Yakish, James H.

SOLON - James H. Yakish, 70, of Solon, died Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010, at his home. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Solon, with the Rev. James Vrba officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. A private family burial will take place at a later date at the Lone Tree Cemetery.

James “Jim” Yakish was born Oct. 21, 1939, in Iowa City, son of Harold and Beulah (Oostendorp) Yakish. After high school, Jim attended barber school and went on to start his own barber shop. On May 21, 1960, Jim married Grace Jarrard in Lone Tree. Years later Jim and Grace moved to Solon, where they would become active members of the community and raise their family. During this time, Jim worked for the Johnson County Health Department as well as serving as a reserve deputy for the Johnson County Sheriff's Department. Jim worked for the county for many years, until 1977, when he founded Jim's Septic Service, where he worked alongside his two sons for many years until his retirement.

Jim was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon, as well as an honorary member of the Solon American Legion.

His family includes his wife, Grace; sons, Steven (Deborah) Yakish and Philip (Darcy) Yakish, of Solon; grandchildren, Kristal (Jason) Bolton, Ashley (Joel Freerksen) Yakish, Tyler, Logan and Carson Yakish; sisters, Annette (Al) Clevenger of Davenport and Deanna (Richard) Krueger of Lone Tree; and brothers, Rick (Debbie) Yakish of Thornton, Colo., and Mike Yakish of Rochester, Minn.

James was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Robert and Gerald Yakish.

Memorial contributions may be made to the James Yakish Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to James' family through the web at

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for James' family and his services.