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MICHAEL YAVORSKI OBITUARY
Downers Grove, IL - Michael T. Yavorski, age 80, of Downers Grove, IL; beloved husband of the late Lorraine K. Yavorski, née Schmuck; loving father of Douglas, Alex (Jennifer), and the late Christine Yavorski; dear grandfather of John, Drew, and Rob Yavorski; fond uncle and friend to many.
Michael was a physical education teacher, football, and track and field coach at Hinsdale South High School from 1970-2000. He was also involved in the basketball program and was, at one time, the Dean of Students.
The Michael T. Yavorski Track Invitational is Held every Spring at Hinsdale South.
Michael was a graduate of the University of Illinois and was a three-sport letterman. While there, he was the National Champion of the 4 x 100 meters relay in 1963 and the Big Ten Champion of the mile relay. He was proud to have been a member of the University of Illinois Football Team that went to the Rose Bowl in 1963 and holds the record for the longest touchdown reception in U of I history.
Memorial Visitation Friday, March 3rd, 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home, 4343 Main Street (1 Blk. So. of Ogden Ave.), Downers Grove, IL 60515.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Ray Graham Association, 901 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, IL 60532 or www.raygraham.org/donate, appreciated.
Information: 630-968-1000 or www.adamswinterfieldsullivan.com.
Published by The Telegraph on Feb. 23, 2023.
Lorraine and Mike Yavorski taken by Priscilla (Peterson) Harris - date unknown
Mike and Larry Donahue at one of our reunions. Photo taken by Priscilla (Peterson) Harris
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Perry Coons
I feel selfish just saying this, but this, to me is the hardest part of growing old. Losing life long friends. Mike certainly was one. Our friendship began, as best I recall when we moved into our house on Hoover Drive. That was in 1952.
Mile was so easy to get to know. While he excelled in football and basketball, he never wore that Mike was Mike, Tug's son. I understand how his stroke and losing Lorrain were so difficult for him.
Mike and I sometimes communicated via email, while lived near Downers Grove, IL where he had coached. I enjoyed visiting with him at the reunion mixer at Mac's Downtown. As I recall, it was in 2015.
R.I.P., my friend.
Roger Cooke
Perry has spoken for many of us, I'm sure, especially me. This one hits me particularly hard, as I always idolized Mike. He was a superb athlete, very intelligent, and very kind. Not that other great athletes are not also intelligent and kind, but Mike was simply outstanding in all three ways.
I guess I'm not surprised that he went so soon after Lorraine. This often happens with long-married couples. My mother's parents were married 71 years, and Grandma died just 18 months after Grandpa. (My mother herself died between their deaths; she was only 64 years old.)
Gary Shackelford
I first got to know Mike through athletics. We were both on the varsity basketball team for 3 years, and we became good friends. We also sat next to each other in some of the math classes taught by Walter W. Willis (whose preferred shorthand signature was W3), and I can attest that Mike was an excellent student. I spent many weekends with Mike, Stan McAfoos, and Jim (Tiny) Robison) during our high school years. We played cards, shot pool, and just hung out. It meant a lot to me that those three guys, who were a closely knit trio of East Junior High alumni, accepted into their circle a guy from across town who had attended arch rival West Junior. Fond memories! Sadly, Jim, Stan, and now Mike are all gone.
In addition to Mike’s collegiate athletic achievements that are mentioned in the Telegraph obituary, his high school athletic résumé was exceptional. He was a member of the AHS track & field team that placed second in the state championship meet during our senior year. In that meet he anchored the winning 880-yard relay team and the 1-mile relay team that placed third. Mike and Stan McAfoos were the two junior starters on the great 1958-59 AHS basketball team. Mike was inducted into the Alton High School Athletic Hall of Fame as an individual in 2011 and as a member of the 1958-59 basketball team in 2015.
Accolades aside, the most important thing to me about Mike is that he was a great friend. That is my most treasured Mike Yavorski memory.
Larry Donahue
I went to school with Mike from 2nd grade on. At East Jr we had great teams and Mike was a big part of that. At Alton High Mike excelled in three sports, in Track he earned the nickname " The Horse", because he was so strong, large and fast and when he came around the track he looked like a race horse. He was a good guy, and I am so sorry He and lorraine are both gone.
Roger Becker
Mike and I were long-time friends, I believe since elementary school (where everyone pronounced it Hoarse Man, because at that point in time, we had no idea who Horace Mann was). We both started college at U of I, where he was a record-breaking football player. He and Lorraine were at our place for a Chicago Air Show party several years ago. We last saw Mike at the wake for Lorraine. He clearly was in poor health, but was fiercely determined to fight and carry on. Even under those conditions, that spirit is a good memory.
Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)
I wish I had known Mike better. We often were seated near one another in classes because of our names. Remember how we always got seated alphabetically. We were classmates from Horace Mann to Alton High. He was always friendly and nice to me. I remember him fondly. Even though he was a STAR athlete, he was a humble and swell guy!
I think he was in the cast of "Stalag 17." Mr. Davenport recruited almost all of the boys in the class for that. It was a great performance.
It appears from his obit, that whatever great things he achieved, he didn't change, just became more admired and beloved! Hooray, Mike!!! You will be missed.