THOMAS YACKIEL

DENNISON TWP. - Lt Col. Thomas Francis Yackiel (USAF, Ret.), age 91, of White Haven, PA, entered into eternal life on September 24, 2025.

Born January 28, 1934 in Wilkes-Barre and raised in Dennison Township, he was the son of the late Stanley and Beatrice (Dziermejko) Yackiel. Tom was a member of the Church of St. Patrick in White Haven. A graduate of White Haven High School in 1951, Tom was happy to take over the family dairy farm. He joined the USAF in 1957 as an officer cadet. While he was stationed at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, he met and married his wife Maria, a nurse in the USAF. They were fortunate enough to celebrate their 60th anniversary together. As a SAC navigator on B-52’s, he flew intercontinental nuclear deployment missions during the 1960’s Cold War and later as a fire control officer on AC-130 gunships during the Vietnam War. While serving in SAC he received his bachelor’s degree at Chapman College and his master’s at the Air Force Institute of Technology. In 1976, Tom moved his family to the farmhouse in Dennison Twp. He commuted home on weekends from the Pentagon until his retirement in 1979 (24 years). He started a 2nd career with the PA Dept. of Corrections and retired after 25 years as a CO and counselor/unit manager at SCI Frackville and SCI Dallas. He was independent, devoted to his family, and had a strong work ethic. During his long life, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and working outdoors on the farm.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Maria Katharina (Kotte) and his three siblings Jean, Bernard and Stanley.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Ursula (Michael) Khalife of White Haven, Thomas B. Yackiel of White Haven, Karen Yackiel (Kirk Dyche) of White Haven, and Christopher (Vicki) Yackiel of Catawissa, and also is survived by 5 grandchildren and their spouses, Angela (Tyler) Kaminski, Michelle Khalife, Matthew Yackiel (Morgan), Emily (Evan) Llanso and Thomas R. Yackiel (fiancé Haylie), one great-grandchild, Chester Kaminski.

Blessing service will be conducted on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 1:00 pm from the Lehman Family Funeral Service, Inc. 403 Berwick St. White Haven with interment following in St. Patrick's Cemetery, White Haven.

Friends are invited to join the family for a visitation from 12:00 noon until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Church of St. Patrick, 411 Allegheny St., White Haven, Pa 18661; or to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, (T2T.ORG).

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