Charles W. Yenni

Charles W. “Chuck” Yenni, 80, of Dover, and a former resident of both Willard and Columbus, died Tuesday, Apr. 12, 2005, in Northview Adult Group Home, Dennison, from complications following a series of strokes.

Born Aug. 29, 1924, in Dover, he was a son of the late Walter and Beulah Latto Yenni. Chuck graduated from Dover High School and went on to serve honorably with the U.S. Army during World War II. He retired as a locomotive engineer from CSX, and its predecessor, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, after forty-five years of service. Chuck also owned and operated the Columbia Tree Farm, near Dover, which was truly one of the joys of his life.

Chuck served as Chairman of the State of Ohio Legislative Board from 1978 through 1987, while on leave from the railroad. He also served as Secretary-Treasurer for the State of Ohio Legislative Board. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, serving as Secretary-Treasurer of the B.L.E. General Committee, and Local Chairman of No. 296. Additionally, Chuck belonged to the National Association of Railroad Veterans Employee Railways (N.A.R.V.E.R.).

He was a member of the United Baptist Church in Willard. Chuck was a 32nd Degree Mason belonging to the Dover Lodge, as well as the following Masonic affiliations: Aladdin Shrine, Scottish Rite, Tuscarawas Council 109, Chapter 38 and Lodge 59, and Order of the Eastern Star 222. He was a member of the Dover post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans. Chuck also belonged to the A.A.R.P., Pine Hill Hunting Club, Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau, and received the “Man of the Year Award” from the Tree Growers Association.

Survivors include his wife, Wanda Smith Yenni, whom he married on Apr. 18, 1970; two daughters, Barb (Bob) Schilling and Betty (Dan) Keener, both of Ashland; a son, Ron (Nancy) Yenni of Mansfield; a step-son, Terry Prater of Dover; nine grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; four brothers, Jim (June) Yenni and Rich (Carol) Yenni, both of Nova, Bob (Grace) Yenni of Lorain, and Ralph Yenni of Mansfield; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Chuck was preceded in death by his first wife, Wilma Wilder Yenni, on Jul. 2, 1969; a sister, Mary Louise Yenni; and a brother, George Yenni.

Chuck�(TM)s life will be celebrated in a service Friday, Apr. 15, at 1 p.m., in the Roberts Funeral Home, 1058 U.S. 250 N., Ashland, with Rev. Patrick Bevier officiating. Burial will be in Ashland County Memorial Park where military rites will be conducted. Following the committal, there will be a reception in the Masonic Lodge in Sullivan. Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, 803 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, on Thursday (today), Apr. 14, 6 �" 8 p.m., and at the Roberts Funeral Home, on Friday, 12 �" 1 p.m. Masonic service will be held at the funeral home in Dover this evening at 7:45 p.m. To sign an online register and share a fond memory of Chuck, please visit the funeral home�(TM)s Web site and click on “Obituaries.”

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. Third St., Dover, OH 44622.

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com