RICHLAND — Jake Richard "Dick" Yeager, 79, died on April 11, 2007, at the Franklin United Methodist Community. Dick was born on August 14, 1927, to Jake and Ruby Yeager, who had a farm in Richland, Indiana. He had four siblings, Norman, Jane, Gene, and Nora. At "the ripe old age of 18," Dick heard the call to go into the ministry. He and Jean Walden were married in 1947 while he was pastor at the Methodist Church in Selvin, Indiana.
   

Dick is survived by Jean; their three children, Stephen, Kim and Tami; four grandchildren: Stephanie, Kerstin, Robert and Jacob; five great-grandchildren; and his sister, Nora Yeager.
   
Dick served in several types of ministry for 45 years before retiring; 23 years as a pastor and 22 as an education director at both the South Indiana Conference and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Much of his work focused on combating racism. He led workshops and meetings in all 50 U.S. states and in 27 countries. Upon retirement in 1994, he joined the staff of Castleton Church as a part-time director of adult education. He held this position for 10 years. In addition to his ministry, he served as the president of the Bartholomew County Mental Health Association, president of the board of education in Connecticut, Conference Director of the Board of Church and Society South Indiana conference, and various other leadership positions. Dick was visionary as a promoter of human rights and ecological responsibility. He was known to be humble, playful, gentle, humorous, and compassionate, a teacher and a family man.
   

Services will be held at the Franklin United Methodist Community in Franklin, Indiana. Visitation, April 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Family Room), and Memorial Service, Apr. 21, 2 p.m. in the chapel. (317) 736-7185. Per Dick's request, his body will be cremated by the Columbus Crematory and his urn placed in the Asbury United Methodist columbarium.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Castleton United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Ind., The Franklin Methodist Community in Franklin, Ind., or CUMNS (Castleton Methodist Nursery School) (317) 849-2947. Arrangements were made by Hathaway-Myers Dignity Memorial Chapel on 1022 Pearl St. Columbus, Ind.



Courier Press
April 18, 2007