Memorial

Anton V. Yanda III, 55, of Yukon, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005 at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born Nov. 29, 1949 in Stillwater, OK to A.V. and Margaret Helen (Macumber) Yanda. His mother preceded him in death in 1978. He married Donna J. Ridling on May 6, 1988 in Oklahoma City. Anton was always very honored to serve the many families of this community and appreciated so much the support he received from the ministers, who were also truly great friends. A 1967 graduate of Yukon High School, he also graduated from Oklahoma State University, Fresno State University, Central State University, and Oklahoma University graduate school. He served in the American Peace Corps in India as a volunteer assistant director in American-international development. Former owner of the Yukon Emergency Medical Services in Yukon, he was current owner and funeral director of Yanda & Son Funeral Home, Inc. He also was past president of the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association. Anton was honored earlier this year as the Yukon Chamber of Commerce's 2005 'H.B. Frank Citizen of Year.' He was currently a member of Yukon Public Schools' Board of Education, and previously served on the Yukon City Council and Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Anton helped start Compassionate Hands and served on its board for many years. He also helped establish the Compassionate Hands' Care-A-Van, which provides transportation for deserving elderly and handicapped citizens. His other civic club service included the Yukon Alumni Association, Foundation For Excellence, Community Education, and Senior Center boards. Anton was a member of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus; and an avid OSU fan. Survivors are: wife Donna J. and son Lance R. Yanda of the home, son Tony Yanda and wife Kimberly of Addison, TX, father Dr. A.V. Yanda, Jr. and wife Barbara of Yukon, sister Debra Vossen and husband Dan of Yukon, in-laws Barton and Orlene Ridling of Sentinel, OK, aunt Torrence Daggs of El Reno; sister and brother-in-law, Kathie and Mark Little of Moore, brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronny and Robyn Ridling and Randy and Dana Ridling, all of Sentinel; nieces and nephews, Avy Doran, Adam and Kevin Vossen, Hether and Ashley Little, Ryan, Risa and Richelle Ridling and Natasha and Randon Ridling, and Steve and Danny Smrcka; and stepbrothers Bruce and Joe Smrcka. The Yanda family offers a very special 'thank you' to the wonderful employees at Yanda & Son Funeral Home, the staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Dr. Michael Keefer and his staff for all they have done over the past 2½ years.