Yonan II, John M.
March 11, 1938 – May 3, 2017
John Malek Yonan II left his earthly life on May 3, 2017 at St. Paul Eldercare in Kaukauna after an eight month battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was born on March 11, 1938 to John & Lucille (Williams) Yonan in Appleton and lived in both Neenah and Appleton his entire life. He attended Columbus Grade School, Edison Grade School, Roosevelt Junior High School, and then Appleton (West) High School. John was in the Boy Scouts and proudly became an ‘Eagle Scout.’ He excelled in track and set a State track record in the Quarter Mile. He was also known by his friends as ‘Yo Yo.’
John married his high school sweetheart Carol Cottrell on April 4, 1959, and they had been married for 58 years. Actually they met at Columbus Grade School when he was in 2nd grade, but they did not connect again until high school.
John went on to Denver University in Colorado and returned to Appleton to take over the family business ‘Yonan & Sons, Inc’, a Persian rug firm, selling, cleaning, repairing, and appraising of Persian rugs that took him around the world at least nine times. Carol was fortunate to accompany him on one of his international trips to Germany and India. They also traveled to Australia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany. John’s 30 year career in the Persian Rug Business came to an end in 1991 as he was fortunate enough to retire.
He is survived by his wife Carol Helen (Cottrell) Yonan, Appleton; his sister Sally Ann Yonan, Oshkosh; his sons John Malek Yonan III (Sherry Lee) Mountain House, California, Mark E. M. Yonan and his life partner Bill St. Marie, Neenah, WI; his grandson Justin Malek Yonan and Jasmine Daniel (girlfriend) San Francisco; granddaughters, Shauna Lee Yonan-Sexton and her husband (Chris), Tracy, California; Sharene Lee Yonan and Andrew Gouveia (boyfriend) Sacramento, California; great grandchildren Shaelyn Grace Sexton and Jonah Caleb Sexton, Tracy California.
John’s family has unending gratitude to Dr. Conkright and his oncology team at St. Elizabeth Hospital, and the incredible nurses on 4 East. They would also like to express their abundant appreciation to the St. Paul Elder Hospice in Kaukauna, specifically his two amazing Hospice nurses Melissa and Lauren who provided a heartfelt level of care that was beyond measure.
The Celebration of John’s Life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2017, at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CHRIST, 724 E. South River Street, Appleton, with Rev. Stephen Savides officiating. Friends may call directly at the church on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in John’s name. Online condolences may be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com
Messages left online:
June 1, 2017
John and I were classmates from second grade on thru high school. Mary and I will miss him at our 60th AHS reunion in July. Sincere condolences to Carol and the family. May the Lord be with you all.
Glenn Breitung, New Braunfels, TX
May 13, 2017
Mark, I am so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know John, but I remember you with great fondness from church choir.
Elizabeth Keggi
May 12, 2017
Mark, Carol,and Bill ,Sarah and I want to express our deepest condolences to you all during this very difficult time .we have many happy memories of John ,and all of us getting together throughout the years. the trip to Door County, the wedding in Fort Myers, and ringing in the new year banging pots, and pans, just to name a few. he was an amazing man, father, and husband. and I know you all feel a great sense of loss. we will truly miss him, our thoughts, and prayers, are with you all our love. Kevin and Sarah castans
Kevin and Sarah Castans, DeBary, FL
May 12, 2017
Sending my sympathy to Carol and the family, as a
former classmate of John, he will be missed.
Sincerely, Virginia(Mitchler)Furnish
Virginia Furnish, Canyon Lake, CA
May 11, 2017
John and I have been friends since we were about 12 years old. He was always funny and friendly. We met in boys Scouts and marched together in a drum and bugle corps together also. Never forget when we were motorcycling with our wives in Door County and running in to Richard Hamilton, the County Attorney, at a gas station. The woman he was with, later his wife, was rather surprised that he knew these “bikers”. We had a good laugh over that. Gonna miss you John. Keep a light on for us when you get there please, and we’ll ride together again.
Ed&Karen Thomas, Appleton, WI
May 9, 2017
It isn’t going to be the same at all the “family” gatherings. John will be greatly missed. Love to Carol, Mark and Bill and all the family for your loss.
Lynn Winkler, Little Chute, WI
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May 9, 2017
We were blessed to have John visit us at the YMCA on a very regular basis. John was always full of life, had a big smile on his face and always sported his white sweat band. John, you will be missed. Our prayers and condolences go out to your family.
Kari Arkens, Appleton, WI
May 8, 2017
I knew John as a customer. A great human being, the world will miss him.
Carrie, Appleton
May 8, 2017
My deepest condolences to the Yonan family. May this time of sorrow bring you together to remember an amazing man. Take each day as it comes, for the good and the bad.
Nicole Wood, Tracy, CA
May 7, 2017
This is so hard to say how I feel! Yonnie was a ROCK! My buddy!! We had so many talks after Gary passed away, you both got me through it! Gary will take his hand and show him around up their, but I think they still will tease each other, LOL! Carol, I love you, this is sent with a big hug!!!
Julie Schaefer, Appleton, WI
May 7, 2017
John had a great sense of humor. I will miss seeing him during my visits from Texas. Miss ya YoYo!
Cindy Cowan
May 7, 2017
JOHN WAS A GOOD FRIEND
AND ALL AT THE YMCA. WILL MISS HIM.
BOB WISNESKI
May 7, 2017
Our condolences to John’s family, our thoughts and [prayers are with you. John was a classmate and teammate he will be missed.
Jim Schulze
Jim Schulze, Fort Pierce, FL
May 7, 2017
My most sincere condolences to Carol and the Yonan family. John was truly a special man and he certainly will be missed by all who knew him. I really enjoyed talking with him when he came in to AAA. We enjoyed planning trips together. Memories of John will not fade.
Donna Perras, Menasha, WI
