Andrew “Andy” Yanok
Andrew “Andy” Yanok passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his loving family at his home in St. Clairsville, Ohio. To many of his close friends and family, Andy was known as “Duno.”
He was born October 13, 1937, a son of the late Andrew and Sue Yanok in Martins Ferry, Ohio. He grew up in Adena, Ohio, and was active in school sports before graduating from Adena High School in 1955. After working for Hauserman Steel in Cleveland, Ohio, he entered and graduated from the 52nd Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy on January 8, 1960. He was employed as a State Trooper at Post 4 in Ashtabula and Post 7 in St. Clairsville. In 1968, he entered the insurance industry and became the first claims adjuster in eastern Ohio for Grange Mutual Casualty Company. In 1972, he founded Andrew Yanok Insurance Agency, Inc. where he worked and ultimately partnered with his son Dan until his semi-retirement late in life.
Andy was Catholic by faith, a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and a past member and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 4243 in St Clairsville, Ohio. He was a member of the Ohio Insurance Agents Association (OIA) and the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA). He was a long-time member of Belmont Hills Country Club and loved playing golf and socializing with his many friends. He introduced his son Brian and his grandson Drew to the game of golf. He always looked forward to spending time with them on the course.
Andy was also an avid sports fan. He enjoyed attending countless Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Pirates games with his son Dan. He enjoyed traveling with his family, who will always have many fond memories of those adventures. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his grandchildren, who cherished their Papa.
Andy is preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Americo and Daisy Plebani, and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Guy and Phyllis Siciliano, of New Philadelphia, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Joanne (Plebani) Yanok, of 63 years, and his sons Brian Yanok of Parkersburg, WV, and Dan Yanok (Kara Dougherty) of St. Clairsville, Ohio. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Drew and Emily Yanok.
Visitation will be held Sunday, March 23, from 1- 4 PM and 6 – 8 PM at Toothman Funeral Home in St. Clairsville.
A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 24, at 10 AM, with visitation from 9 AM until the time of Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Father Thomas Chillog as celebrant. Interment will immediately follow at Union Cemetery in St. Clairsville.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Moshe Ornstein, MD, and his team at the Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center, Visiting Angels, and Valley Hospice. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Andy may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center, and Valley Hospice.
