Michael W. Yaney

Elkhart: Michael Wesley Yaney, 73, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, June 28, 2018 at Bell Tower Health & Rehabilitation Center. A native of Ft. Wayne, he was born on December 15, 1944 to the late Joseph Wesley and Marjorie Mae (Guethe) Yaney. In addition to his parents, his grandparents, Sylvester and Eva Yaney and Gottlieb and Bernice Guethe preceded him in death.

Surviving is his loving sister, Denise Yaney, close family friends, Bryan Minier and Amy Black, also friend and caregiver Dustin Barnard.

Michael studied for four years in the Catholic seminary, two years at Our Lady of the Lake in Wawasee and two years at Mount St. Mary’s in Cincinnati.  He taught classes in Cincinnati, Ft. Wayne and Elkhart at St. Thomas.

In 1986 Michael received international recognition as the first American in the Midwest to be made Cavaliere or (Knight) of the Order of Recioto for his work with wines of the Veneto region of Italy.

Michael formerly worked at and was the resident wine expert at Elkhart’s Rodino Parkmor Liquor Store and Lebmamoff Enterprises and Brase’s Liquors at Times Corners in Ft. Wayne. He was a lover of fine food, fine wine, fine music and loved to share those with others.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 2, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St., Elkhart. Friends may visit with the family for 1 hour prior to the mass. Rev.  Jason Freiburger will officiate. Burial and graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, July 3, at Catholic Cemetery in Ft. Wayne, 3500 Lake Ave. Rev.  Zak Berry officiating.  The family kindly request memorials in Michael’s name to Lakeside Park, c/o Ft. Wayne Parks and Recreation, 705 E. State St.

Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart.

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