Gary Yaklin

Gary Lee Yaklin age 80 of Huron Beach passed away at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

He was born in Flint on October 26, 1943 to Cornelius and Ann (Ivaniak) Yaklin.

Gary graduated from St. Agnes Catholic High School in 1961. He graduated from Michigan Tech University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He then traveled to Alaska to work on the Alaskan Pipe Line. On September 26, 1981 he married Joann Curtis at St. Mary Catholic Church in Cheboygan. When they returned home from Alaska, he began working at Durocher Dock and Dredge (a division of Kokosing) as a project manager. Gary was a founding member of the Ocqueoc-Bearinger Fire Department and went on to become Chief. In 2011 he and Joann purchased Rosa’s Squeeze Inn Restaurant in Huron Beach. Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, beer and especially Happy Hour. He was a friend to everyone he met. Gary was kind, loving and always had a smile on his face. He always took the time to stop and smell the roses. Gary was interested in how things worked and was always reading to increase his understanding of the world. In his retirement he and Joann would travel to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea for the winter months.

Gary is survived by his wife, Joann; three children, Katlin (Eddy) Szymoniak of Millersburg, Jeffrey (Natasha) Yaklin of Huron Beach and Joseph (Kallie) Yaklin of Ypsilanti; five grandchildren, Marley, Deacon, Dax, Olivia and Vanessa; sister, Judy (Paul) Geiger of Dexter; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may visit at the Beck Funeral Home on Thursday, May 2nd from 4-8 p.m. with the Ringing of the Bell Ceremony at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday at St. Paul Catholic Church in Onaway from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. with Fr. Scott Lawler officiating.

Burial will follow at St. Elizabeth Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Ocqueoc-Bearinger Fire Department or St. Paul Catholic Church in memory of Gary Yaklin.