Wayne F. Yake

Wayne was born March 28, 1935 in Waldo, OH to Harold and Marie Yake and passed away peacefully on June 17, 2024. He graduated from Waldo High School in 1953 and entered the US Arm in January of 1958, receiving and honorable discharge in December, 1963. Wayne worked for the PA Railroad Section Gang in Waldo, OH, and also at Commercial Steel Casting in Marion, OH. Wayne married Marilyn J. Good (Lima, OH) on March 20, 1962 and was self-employed on their farm with agriculture crops, Berkshire hogs, beef cattle and sheep for five years in Ohio prior to becoming the Swine Manager at Purdue University’s Lynnwood Farm in Carmel, IN for 11 years beginning in 1967. He worked for six years for a private swine farm as herd-manager. In March 1984, he moved to West Lafayette, IN to manage the Purdue University Swine Testing Research and Development Unit for 17 years, retiring in February 2001, working a total of 28 years with Purdue University. Wayne served as the Indiana Boar test Station Manager for 15 years, and was inducted into the Indiana Livestock Breeders’ Hall of Fame. Wayne and Marilyn moved to Salem, IN after their retirement. In 2019 they relocated to Cedar Creek Assisted Living in Bedford, Indiana

Wayne is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 62 years, three children: Colleen (Mike) Wessel of Lisle, IL, Donavon Yake (Joyce, deceased) of Fishers, IN, and Deborah (Scott) Maudlin of Salem, IN; five grandchildren, Tiffany (Kevin) Hedger of Franklin, IN, Philip (Molly) Wessel of Elburn, IL, Brandon Wessel of Port Angeles, WA, Jared (Tressa) Maudlin of Salem, IN and Cody (Kristen) Maudlin of Campbellsburg, IN. Wayne was blessed to have 10 great-grandchildren: Taylor Hedger, Dallas Hedger, Morgan Wessel, Kiley Hedger, Emma Wessel, Bennett Maudlin, Harper Maudlin, Carter Maudlin, Halley Maudlin, and Owen Wessel. Wayne is also survived by three of his four siblings, Betty (Rollie, deceased) Harris of Cardington, OH, Howard (Jan) Yake of Kalamazoo, MI, and Ellen (Tom, deceased) DeGray of Boston, MA and predeceased by Jane (Jim) Kidd. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Wayne raised purebred Berkshire hogs from 1945 until 1984, earning numerous top awards at county, state and national events, as well as receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the American Berkshire Association. We was an active member in the Ohio and Indiana Berkshire Associations, along with the American Berkshire Association, serving on the national board of directors for six years. He was Secretary/Treasurer and Sale Manager of the Ohio Berkshire Association and was Secretary for the Indiana Berkshire Association and Sale Manager for ten years. After retiring from Purdue University in 2001 and moving to Salem, IN he stayed involved with Berkshire hogs, attending national events and offering consultation services when requested.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, family and friends can make a donation to the American Berkshire Foundation in Wayne’s memory. Checks can be made payable to the American Berkshire Foundation and sent to Kim Neumann at 29175 230th St, Wabasso, MN 56293