Lee Edward Yunkers

Lee Edward Yunkers, better known as Captain LeRoy, made his final voyage on Saturday, January 14 from the comfort of his home. Lee was born in Maywood, Illinois on December 2, 1942 to Virginia (Grupe) and Edward Yunkers; Virginia was remarried to James Dwyer in 1948. He was raised in Park Forest, Illinois.

He lost his sight at age 13 but never let this keep him from achieving great things. He attended The School for the Blind in Jacksonville, then Illinois College, University of Illinois, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater with a Bachelor's and then Master's in Education. As Kaukauna's first blind teacher, Lee was a creative and energetic teacher for 29 years. He was famous for bringing stories like “Huck Finn” to life to his students and for his creative techniques in classroom management. Lee enjoyed fishing, traveling to Jamaica, playing piano, and was a talented woodworker.

He is survived by four siblings, Denise (Gary) Gehrt, Tom Dwyer, Michelle (Frank) Ingerly, and James Dwyer (Tonia), two sons Jeff Yunkers (and Christy Fuss) and Ryan (Molly) Yunkers, daughters Natalee Cruse (and Brian Matsuura), Belle (Tony) Pleva and many grandchildren. Lee was preceded in death by his parents and sister Lynda.

A celebration of Lee's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 124 10th St. Kaukauna, with Rev. Levi Willms officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wichmannfargo.com.

“I was blind, but now I see”.