Irvin Alfonse Yaroch

Celebrating the life of Irvin Alfonse Yaroch

Irv was born April 9th, 1940 in Port Austin, Michigan. He is preceded in death by his wife Bonnie, parents Paul and Stella (Nadolski), sister Bridget, and brothers Melvin (Buck), Paul (Capuchin Catholic Priest). He is survived by his sister Mary, children Jill, Tim (Rhonda), John (Vickie) and Courtney (Mark). Grandchildren Mark, Sydney, Olivia, Gibson, Delaney, Parker, Garrett, Hannah and Luke.

Irv was brave, responsible, kind, fun, humorous, serious and detailed. His work ethic was unparalleled and his drive to succeed innate. One could say he was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. He held multiple jobs as a child and teen to help make ends meet for the family. He sold nightcrawlers at his homemade stand, was a paperboy, a caddie at Pointe Aux Barques Country Club. He manned the pool hall and movie theater, and often helped at Yaroch Brothers General Store on Lake Street in Port Austin with various chores. Irv cherished telling stories about these jobs.

He loved sports. Baseball, basketball, golf, football, fishing and hunting. Irv played baseball and basketball (his favorite) for Port Austin high school. During his junior year, he received the news that he would be moving to Roseville, Michigan, because the Yaroch Brothers General Store was closing. This was particularly hard for Irv, but he persevered. He finished his schooling at Roseville High School and graduated in 1958. He then began working for a paper and printing company and soon met the love of his life Bonnie. They were married at St. Florian Catholic Church in Hamtramck on April 24th, 1965. During this time the Vietnam war was still progressing, and Irv proudly joined the Army Reserves. In between his U.S. based duties, he opened a printing and graphic arts company entitled Century Litho in the 1970’s. His fondest memory at this time was producing the printed campaign for the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner. As the late 1970’s and 1980’s was approaching, Irv saw a new opportunity. He ventured out with his friend and started T.I. Graphics, the initials stood for Ted and Irv. This company was successful, and although being partial to the printing industry for years, Irv saw a changing economic landscape on the horizon. In 1985, he decided to try his hand at opening a family business called Sit & Sleep in Shelby Township, MI, selling mattresses and furniture, He contently retired from there in 2010.

Irv had irons in the fire at work and home, but he always made time for his kids’ basketball and football games, cheerleading practice and dance recitals. After all four children graduated from Stevenson High School and Adrian College, Bonnie and Irv found themselves moving from Sterling Heights, MI to a picturesque home in Romeo, MI they nicknamed “The Lodge”. There they started a new chapter with the excitement of weddings, new daughters and sons-in-law and nine grandchildren they adored.

Above all, Irv relished his family, friends and work. He was a provider, the one you could always collaborate with to solve a problem. He offered sage advice and simply would tell it like it was. Irv thoroughly enjoyed playing a visiting Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, complete with an authentic suit for grand kids, extended family, and friends.

He loved Johnny Carson, country music, Elvis, and 50’s malt shop music. Irv was a fan of WJR/760 AM radio. Specifically, Ernie Harwell and JP McCarthy, Rush Limbaugh and Prairie Home Companion. He had a soft spot for horses, dogs and birds. He was a bright spot in all our lives, and his light will be missed.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from 1-8 pm at the Henry M. Malburg Funeral Home.

Funeral Service will begin at 7pm