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Gale Leroy Yerkes
GALE LEROY YERKES
Vinton
Gale Leroy Yerkes, 80, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.
A Celebration of Gale's life will be held at a later date. Memorial cards may be mailed to Dick Yerkes 5666 26th Av. Dr., Vinton, IA 52349.
Gale was born on Aug. 21, 1940, in Vinton, the son of John and Geraldine (Johnson) Yerkes. He graduated from Urbana High School and served his country in the U.S. Navy. After returning from the service, Gale worked for D.C. Taylor and later at PMX in Cedar Rapids. He will always be remembered as the man who fell from a water tower and lived. He fell 89 feet and spent several months in a full body cast.
Gale was a member of the American Legion. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed fishing and camping. His greatest joy was riding his motorcycle. Gale will be forever remembered for his infectious smile and good heart.
He is survived by his children, Dick (Ny) Yerkes of Vinton; Tina Hatfield of Vinton; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Scott Yerkes and Tony Yerkes; four brothers, Rex, Melvin, Spencer and Richard Yerkes; and his sister, Beth Lonergan.
Online condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.
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