courtesy of Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service

James H. Yakish, 70, of Solon, died Saturday, October 9, 2010 at his home.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 Thursday, October 14, 2010 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Solon with Reverend James Vrba officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with a vigil service at 7 p.m. A private family burial will take place at a later date, at the Lone Tree Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the James Yakish Memorial Fund.

James "Jim" Yakish was born October 21, 1939 in Iowa City; son of Harold and Beulah (Oostendorp) Yakish. After high school he attended barber school and went on to start his own barber shop. On May 21, 1960, Jim married Grace Jarrard in Lone Tree, Iowa. Years later Jim and Grace moved to Solon where they would become active members of the community and raise their family. During this time he worked for the Johnson County Health Department as well as serving as a Reserve Deputy for the Johnson County Sheriff's Department. Jim worked for the county for many years, until 1977, when he founded Jim's Septic Service where he worked along side his two sons for many years until his retirement. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon, as well as an honorary member of the Solon American Legion.

His family includes his wife, Grace; sons, Steven (Deborah) Yakish and Philip (Darcy) Yakish of Solon; grandchildren, Kristal (Jason) Bolton, Ashley (Joel Freerksen) Yakish, Tyler, Logan and Carson Yakish; sisters, Annette (Al) Clevenger of Davenport, Iowa and Deanna (Richard) Krueger of Lone Tree, Iowa; and brothers, Rick (Debbie) Yakish of Thornton, Colorado and Mike Yakish of Rochester, Minnesota.

James was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Robert and Gerald Yakish.