MENTONE – Russell Rex “Arkie” Yazel, 91, of rural Tippecanoe, passed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Grace Village Health Care of Winona Lake.
Rex was born on Oct. 29, 1929, in Etna Green, to the late Clyde and Delta Borton Yazel. He married on March 6, 1965, in Warsaw, to Margaret E. Hamman; she survives. His father was a barber and times were tough in the early years for the family. His parents did the best they could trying to raise a young family in the depths of the Depression as the world spiraled towards another World War.
He was a 1947 graduate of Etna Green High School. He was proud to have played baseball and basketball for the Etna Green Cubs. Rex was a spring maker for Midwest Spring of Mentone for 33 years. He then founded his own business, A.J. Coil of Tippecanoe. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Mentone.
In earlier years, he was a good mechanic and raced stock cars with engine; his brother had shaved their heads to get just a little more out of them. Rex was a sports fan and an avid muzzle loader enthusiast. He and his brother Harold shot Muzzle loading guns in matches all across the country from the midwest to the Rocky Mountains. Their competitors dreaded to see the Yazel boys pull in. There are many stories from these exploits of challenges accepted and matches won.
He is survived by his wife, Maggie Yazel, of Tippecanoe; daughters: Sherry and husband Stan Pequignot, of Winona Lake; Kathy and husband Lloyd Morgan, of Akron; Joanne and husband Darrell Dean, of Warsaw; Rachel and husband Frank Banghart, of Warsaw; sons: Randy and wife Aimee Nellans, of Rochester; and Rusty and wife Kelly Nellans, of Mentone; 21 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Max Yazel; brother, Harold Yazel; and a sister-in-law, Ellanora Yazel.
Visitation hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 12 at King Memorial Home, 101 N. Tucker St., Mentone.
The funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 13 at King Memorial Home, Mentone, with Pastor Michael Wilhite and Pastor Tim Farley officiating.
The interment will take place in the Mentone Cemetery, Mentone.
*****
Donations can be made in his memory to the First Baptist Church of Mentone.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
