James Franklin Yannayon

James Franklin Yannayon, 73, of Seville, went home to be with his loving Savior on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, after a brief illness with Pancreatic Cancer.

Jim was born on May 10, 1952, in Wadsworth to Franklin Mandas and Donna Esther (Beery) Yannayon and graduated from Cloverleaf High School in 1970.  Jim spent 50 years working at an auto technician having worked in his early career for Leohr’s in Chippewa Lake, at Underwood Motors for 27 ½ years and finally with Progressive CJDR in Wooster for 4 ½ years.   Jim was an active member of Chippewa Church at the Lake United Methodist Church where he was a Certified Lay Speaker since May of 2000.  Jim shared the gospel of Jesus Christ at his home church as well as at area churches as a pulpit supply speaker.  Jim loved feeding people and will remembered for the monthly swiss steak dinners that he faithfully cooked and served at Church of the Lake. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge and Eagles in Medina and had bowled over the years on various leagues.  Jim enjoyed line dancing, camping, playing cards and Domino’s and sprint car racing.   Whether Jim was shopping at his favorite place, Walmart, having breakfast with family or a group of friends or doing the work of the Lord, he always had a smile from ear to ear and he will be greatly missed.

Surviving is his wife of 25 years, Rhea (Smith) Yannayon whom he married on May 27, 2000; his son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Heather Yannayon of Wadsworth and their daughter, Sarah; daughter, Amanda Zaharof of Sterling Heights, MI; step-children, Melanie Klintworth of Belpre and her children, Steven, Cassie and Tricia;  Jamie  Hootman of Avon Lake and her daughter, Victoria, and John  Hootman of Grafton; his brothers, Harold and his wife Louise Yannayon of Erie, PA and Raymond Yannayon Sr. of Oceanside, CA; his much older sister, Margaret Surrarrer of Lodi; nieces and nephews and his best friend and faithful companion, Clara Barton.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Janet Shellhorn.

Services will be Saturday, Oct. 4th at 2:00 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston with Pastor Kelly Collins, Pastor Kimmy Farone and John Murray officiating.  Friends may call on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home.  A private interment will be held at Mound Hill Cemetery in Seville.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Chippewa Church at the Lake United Methodist Church or to Medina County SPCA.