Raymond Yonkovic
November 6, 1939 ~ April 18, 2021
Raymond Roy Yonkovic, 81, of Lisbon, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Memorial Service: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 23, 2021, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, Iowa, by Celebrant Dawn Stephens. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Karen; children, Valerie Williamson, Veronica Harford, and Kelli Yonkovic; grandchildren, Randy (Dedra) Johnson, Stephanie Albaugh, Kent McHenry, Crystal McHenry, Kyle McHenry, Dylan (Rachel) Yonkovic, Logan (Holly) Yonkovic, Cheyenne (Marcus) Streit, Abby Davidson, Jesse (Kim) Climer, and Aleah Climer; and great-grandchildren, Sterling, Ainsley, and Brexley.
Ray is also survived by his siblings, Nina Kray, Rosie (Ron) Dirks Hendricks, Sherry Schonberg, Deb (Daryl) Porter, Tony Yonkovic, and Janet (Ted) McDonell; brother-in-law, Bill Dingbaum; sister-in-law, Deb Yonkovic; daughter-in-law, Barb Yonkovic; and best buddy, Don 'Chappy' Chapman.
Ray was born November 6, 1939, in Manchester, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Lucille (Chapman) Yonkovic. He graduated from Buck Creek High School in 1958. For most of his life, Ray worked as a mason with BA Jensen, D&R Masonry, and Y&F Masonry. He was a member of Laborers Local 43. On September 25, 1965, he married Karen McQuown in Hopkinton.
He will be remembered for his generous heart and love for everyone. Ray always had a joke in his pocket and ready to share. He loved scratch-off lottery tickets, word searches, and buying things for his grandchildren. They called him 'Gramps' and the kids at Kelli's daycare called him 'Poppy'.
Ray was a friend to everyone wherever he went and to many he was known as 'Mr. Ryan' as he was a staple at Ryan's Steakhouse in Cedar Rapids. He will be forever missed by everyone touched by his kindness.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Greg; siblings, JoAnn Dingbaum, Russell Yonkovic, and John Yonkovic; brothers-in-law, Denny Dirks, Bill Kray, and Bob Schonberg; and drampa's bitty pup, Macy.
Memorials may be directed to his family.
Please share your love and support with Ray's family on his tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.
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I am so grateful that Gramps had such an amazing relationship with Ainsley and was able to meet Brexley before his time was cut short on Earth♥️
My husband and I use to always meet them for breakfast or lunch. My husband and Ray use to talk about the projects they were going to do and never started anything. I remember him calling my grandson Henry and that wasn’t his name. He was a good guy and friend . Thankful that we met. May you R.I.P
My Name is Brenda Rodts, I Used to be a Server at Ryan’s SteakHouse, and got to know, Ray and the Family Very Well, I enjoyed seeing Him every day, He was such a Sweet and Caring Man, He had a Huge Heart, and will be Missed by all, I Love You Ray! Rest in Peace,❤️❤️
Hello family. I’m Rhonda. I meet this wonderful guy and his lady along with rest of family when they would come into Ryan’s Buffet on Saturday mid- morning and hung out of lunch. He was always good fir couple jokes and advice as well. Ray you are truly going to be missed.
My name is Jason Brandt, my daughter used to go to Kellies for she was our sitter. There was so many times I would pick my daughter up and she would talk about Raymond. I forgot what they would call him and my daughter couldn’t remember either. But she used to always say how nice he was and liked being around him. I used to work on the bypass running semi and him and his wife would be sitting at whiteys or caseys watching us trucking dirt back and forth. So I have a number of memories of him and they are all great. Rest in peace cause u were loved by many.
My heart aches for the family! I know my Emma personally loved him and called him papa when she came home. Her last words when I showed his pictures to her were. That’s papa and he has an owie…. yet so young and will not understand for a while he will be missed by all his little ladies at daycare and so many more! I’m so saddened for you all and I hope that prayers can go a long way in helping you cope. It never goes away but hopefully all those great memories bring you a little bit of happiness in such a sad time!!! we love you all!!!!
In loving memory of the best father in law a girl could ask for. You will be greatly missed, Rest In Peace Dad.
Hugs and prayers for your comfort.
Jimmy, Kelly, Jim, Ben, Ally, Nick, Bri, Drinna, Tristan, Kris, Tony, Jamie, Tony, Karen, Don, Jess, Logan, Dillon, Jordan, Shannon. Love, CO Peeps
Always a pleasure to see him. Wry, ironic, compassionate. Terrific guy. Fred Will
Karen, I am so sorry for the loss of Ray. What a character he was, I could always tell when he was going to say something smart, he would get that impish grin on his face and laugh. I loved bantering with him. I feel your heartache, but hold his love and smile in your heart always and remember that beautiful head of hair he had, I always thought it was so beautiful. I will miss Ray, take care of yourself. Hugs, Annamae
Uncle Raymond always had such a unique sense of humor & could always make me laugh. I still remember standing in the church at Bill Kray’s funeral & I noticed him staring at me. I’m like, What? & He says I just don’t wanna miss it when you burst into flames. I’ll miss those one-liners. My condolences to Karene, Kelli, & the rest of the family. I Love You Uncle Raymond.
Ray was a union brother of my Dad at Laborer’s Local 43, and they enjoyed a close friendship for 35 years. Ray was also a great guy, father of my buddy Greg. I grew up enjoying the little jokes he always had in his shirt pockets! Thinking of all Ray’s friends and families.
Kelli and Valerie and family, We are so extremely sorry for your loss. You will continue to be in our hearts and prayers
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
I already miss you sooo much dad!😭💔Nothing will ever be the same without you! You always called me “Your Girl” and I will treasure that forever! I was the luckiest girl in the world to have you for my dad! You made so many things possible for me throughout the years, and for that I am eternally grateful! Give Greg a big hug for me, and have him give you one back from me too! Love you daddy!💙
“Poppy”, you will always be in our hearts and forever a blessing to have known you! Extending our deepest condolences to the family.
Heaven got a good man …I will always remember uncle Ray as a funny guy with always a joke to tell and no matter if I heard it before or not …its the way he told it made you still laugh over again …here is to great memories Uncle Ray . You will be missed …..Love Glaine
My deepest condolences to your family during this difficult time. May your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead.