Obituary of Joseph Edward Yakim

Joseph Edward Yakim, Sr., 75, of Niles, passed away Friday, April 9, 2021 at Elkhart General Hospital. One of six children born to Wasyl and Hilda (Crow) Yakim, they welcomed their son into this world on February 9, 1946 in South Bend, Indiana. He married Teresa Sink, and they later separated. Joseph worked for many years as a die caster in Dowagiac. Upon his retirement he focused a little more on the things that brought a smile to his face. He loved to take motorcycle rides all over, he spent time out on the boat, sometimes fishing, sometimes catching! When the casinos opened up around here locally he enjoyed playing the one arm bandit, and when he was home he loved to sit with the guitar and strum along. He is preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Craig Earl Yakim. Joseph is survived by his two sons, Dwayne (Amy) Yakim and Joseph (Melinda) Yakim both of Niles; his eight grandchildren; Cory (Shelle) Yakim, Christopher Yakim, Joseph Yakim III, Kayla (Brian) Parker, Tagan (Chris Gano) Yakim, Joshua Yakim, Cameron Deforest, and Xavier Deforest; six great-grandsons, three great granddaughters, one great-great-granddaughter, a step-son, Bobby (Shellie) Deforest, his siblings, Barry (Cindy) Yakim of Niles, Bill (Joyce) Yakim of Dowagiac, Hoyt Blassingame of Mississippi, Marian Finch of Niles, and “Jenny Joe” Bankston of Niles and several nieces and nephews. Services to celebrate Joseph’s life will take place Monday, April 19, 2021 at 1 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior at Brown Funeral Home. Those wishing to make a memorial donation have been asked to send to the family in care of Brown Funeral Home. Condolences, photos, and memories can be left for Joseph’s family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.