Deacon Thomas Yezak, III, 76, of Dryden, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center of Midland. 

Thomas Joseph Yezak was born March 10, 1943, in Ferndale. He is the son of the late Thomas and the late Beatrice (Simoneau) Yezak. Tom grew up in Ferndale, graduating from Ferndale High School, Class of 1962. Tom furthered his education at Ferris State University and also attended Sacred Heart Seminary, from 1981-88, in Detroit. 

He was employed as a mechanic/welder for 24 years by Genesee County Road Commission in Flint before retiring in 2000. Tom served as a trustee for the Village of Dryden.

He married Marilyn Luke on June 21, 1969, in Oak Park. Tom and Marilyn lived in various places in Michigan, including Ferndale, Oak Park, Ortonville and Lapeer, before moving to Dryden. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, Oct. 16, 2017. 

Deacon Yezak was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Detroit on Oct. 15, 1988, and later in his ministry supervised deacons in the Thumb Vicariate and Lakes Vicariate. 

His first assignment was at St. Joseph Parish in Lake Orion, and his second assignment was at St. Cornelius Parish in Dryden. Deacon Yezak also helped at several other churches through the years, including St. Nicholas in Capac, St. John the Evangelist in Allenton, Sacred Heart in Yale, Sacred Heart in Brown City, St. Christopher in Detroit, and St. Anne in Ortonville. Deacon Yezak was a member and the chaplain for the Knights of Columbus – Our Lady Queen of Peace in Imlay City.  

Deacon Yezak is survived by his daughter, Catherine "Trina" Yezak of Dryden; son, Joseph (Megan) Yezak of Midland; his grand-daughter, Mari; one sister, Cynthia Barnes; and his two sisters-in-law, Nancy Yezak and Jana Yezak. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Yezak; grandson, Richard Yezak; two brothers, Lawrence Yezak and James Yezak; and his brother-in-law, Roger Barnes. 

A funeral service will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, at St. Anne Church, 825 S. Ortonville Rd., Ortonville, MI, 48462. Fr. Gerry Frawley, pastor of St. Anne, will officiate. The family will be available for visitation from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City and 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at St. Anne. A rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. 

Those wishing to make memorial contributions may direct them to: the Yezak Family or St. Anne's Catholic Church, Ortonville. Funeral arrangements were made by Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City.