Wallace "Wally" Keith Yerty

Wallace (Wally) Keith Yerty, age 76, 10 days shy of his 77th birthday, passed away quietly on Thursday, August 21st at home after an extended illness.

Wally graduated from Hastings High School in 1966, spent 2 years at Ferris S.U., and graduated from WMU in 1970. The draft was in full swing at that time and he drew #11, so rather than being drafted into the Army, he enlisted in the US Navy, which was unusual because he didn’t like the water! He became a Torpedoman's Mate on the USS Sierra and spent most of his tour in Orlando, FL and Norfolk, VA.

He met his wife, Diane (Link) in June of 1970, and they were married 6 months later in December. They had 54 years and 8 months together, living in Flowerfield where their children were born and 41 years in Paw Paw.

Wally worked 3 jobs while getting 2 master's degrees at WMU post Navy. He taught and worked in various positions at Paw Paw School District (including video production for Paw Paw Public Access Channel 12). During this time, he also shot and edited videos for GrapeVine Video Productions, his own production company. He also worked at Nazareth College, WMU, Bronson Hospital, and Paw Paw District Library before retiring.

Wally enjoyed camping and he and his family visited several national parks, but he enjoyed the Tetons the most. They initially began in a tent, moved up to a pop-up camper, and finally to a furnished trailer. His last trip was to the West Coast visiting his children and was a fantastic finale for him.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Angela Michele, brother, Donald, and sister, Barbara, and his parents, and son-in-law, Hendrik.

Survivors include his wife, Diane, daughter Jennifer (Bobby), son Ryan (Joelle), brother Mark (Sue), 2 nephews and a niece.

There will be no funeral as cremation has taken place. A memorial at a later date will be announced.

Memorials in his memory may be made to the Sierra Club or the National Parks.