The Rev. Charles S. Yoak of Amery, Wisconsin, died at 3:10 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2025 at Amery Memory Care where he has been residing for three years. Chuck was born November 21, 1937 in Kentucky, the son of the Rev. Robert N. D. Yoak and Louise S. Yoak. He grew up mostly in Iowa, attending high school and college there.

He graduated from Avoca High School in 1955 and Grinnell College in 1959. Both in high school and college he was an outstanding athlete and student leader. In college he was the captain of his track and cross country teams and the holder of many records in long distance running. On campus, he was the president of his hall and the Board of Religion. He was the youngest licensed pastor in the state of Iowa and served a small local Congregational church all of the time he was in college.

Chuck graduated from Chicago Theological Seminary, a part of the federated schools of the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1964. He served pastorates in Chicago, Illinois (while still a student), and later, in Omaha, Nebraska and Anamosa, Iowa. He then, in 1968 left the trajectory of continuous ministerial service.

Subsequently, Chuck pursued a variety of career interests: journalism; sports editor of the Cedar Rapids Gazette; cab driver; professional boxer; and farmer to name a few.

Chuck married Judith L. Crist in 1959 and had two children, Amy and Scott. He subsequently married Marilyn Ames and raised two step sons Robert and Todd. At a later time, Chuck married Marilyn Tishleder.

Chuck is survived by his two children, Amy Wynn and Scott Boyd and his two stepchildren, Robert and Todd Yoak. He also leaves behind two sisters: Jeri McCurnin and Martha Yoak. He has four grandchildren: Matthew and David Wynn, Grayson and Mackenzie Boyd. He's also survived by a step grandchild, Richard Miller.

The family will hold a private service at a later date.

Last Update: May 30, 2025 12:45 pm CDT