Kenneth James Yonker's Obituary
Kenneth J. Yonker was a Vice President of Marketing for Howmet Corporation, a position he held since 1955. In this position he was responsible for all corporate market functions for precision castings for gas turbine or “jet” engines. He came to the Muskegon area from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where from 1952 -1955 he was Plant Manager for the Howard Foundry Company. He was previously associated with Allis-Chalmers in Milwaukee, where for five years he was a research Metallurgist, and for another five years, he was the Engineer-In-Charge in their precision investment casting department. He also was a Partner since 1993 in Twighugers LLC, a land development company. A native of Chicago, Mr. Yonker attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, where he earned his B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering. Locally, Mr. Yonker is well-known for his many civic activities. He served as Chairman of the United Way campaign in 1967. He was President of the YMCA in 1972 and 1973, during the time of its merger with the YWCA, and continued as President of the new YFCA for one term of office. He served on the Board of Directors of the Muskegon Country Club from 1981 to 1983 and was a member for 47 years. He served on the Board of the Muskegon Chamber of Commerce. Kenneth was a volunteer for two years (1997-1998) hauling furniture for Love, Inc. and a volunteer in Adopt-A-Reader program at McMillan and Reeths Puffer schools. He was the president of the Big Brothers in 1972 and 1973 and served on the organization’s Board of Directors for an additional two years. He also served in a personal capacity for six years as a Big Brother to a local boy. He is an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Muskegon. He and his wife Mary Mason, a native of Hancock, Michigan, lived in North Muskegon. They have one son, Charles James and his wife Barbara; a grandson, Chris and his wife, Jolie; and one great-granddaughter, Grayson. A GRAVESIDE SERVICE for Kenneth will take place on Friday, August 31, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock, Michigan. For a more lasting memory, donations in Kenneth’s name can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Muskegon (2577 Wickham Dr.). Arrangements entrusted to The Sytsema Chapel, 737 E. Apple Ave. (231) 726-5210. Feel free to share a memory with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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