Jean D. Yanitsky, 91, of 1802 10th Avenue South, Escanaba, died Saturday January 12, 2008, at the Pinecrest Medical Care Facility, in Powers, where she has resided for the past two and one half years.

Jean was born August 29, 1916, in Castle Shannon, PA, the daughter of Thomas and Henrietta (Kuzian) Drutch. She was raised in Castle Shannon and attended the Castle Shannon school system. Following her years in school, Jean and her sister relocated to New York where they resided and worked for a couple of years before moving to Detroit where Jean was employed as a "Bucker" installing rivets on airplanes during WWII. In August of 1946, Jean was united in marriage to Andrew Yanitsky, in Ann Arbor, MI, and together the couple relocated to Escanaba where they made their home and began their family. Throughout her life, Jean worked primarily at home as a homemaker. In addition, she was employed, for over thirty years, as a noontime supervisor, at the John Lemmer Elementary School, in Escanaba. Jean was also a lifetime member of the Escanaba VFW Auxiliary.

She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include:

1 Daughter: Andrea (Dave) Sullivan of Escanaba, MI

2 Sisters: Janet Drach of Bentleyville, PA; Florence Gumbert of Bentleyville, PA

3 Grandchildren: Eric (Tracy) Sullivan of Lee’s Summit, MO; Marc Sullivan of Kansas City, MO; Carrie Sullivan of Chicago, IL

1 Great Granddaughter: Eleanor Sullivan

Also surviving are several loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Thomas and Henrietta and her husband, Andrew, Jean was preceded in death by:

1 Son: Daniel Yanitsky

1 Brother: Joseph Drutch

Jean’s family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba. Vigil prayers will be conducted, at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home, at 6:00PM, by Rev. Fr. Mike Steber of the St. Anne Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial services will follow on Thursday, at 11:00AM, at the St. Anne Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Mike Steber officiating. Luncheon will follow in the St. Anne Parish Hall. Committal will be in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Yanitsky family with arrangements.