WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Retired coach Roman C. Yatchak, 96, of 301 Ascherman St., Wakefield, died peacefully Friday evening, Dec. 16, 2011, in the home that he was born in, with his three daughters by his side.

He was born on July 31, 1915, in Wakefield, the son of Joseph and Helen A. (Stremski) Yatchak. Roman graduated from Wakefield High School and Iowa State Teachers College, where he starred in football and baseball. He obtained his master's degree in education from the University of Michigan.

On Dec. 27, 1941, Roman was united in marriage to Mary Ann Zorich at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield by the Rev. Louis P. Bracket. They made their home in Wakefield, Lansing and Marquette, and were blessed with nine children.

Roman proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Bowden, Maine, Army Base, where he was responsible for the physical conditioning of pilots during World War II.

His love of the outdoors, including fishing, hunting and camping, inspired him to return to Wakefield and raise his family, where he could share these experiences with his wife and children.

Roman was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, and the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002. He was the coach of all sports at Wakefield High School for 16 years. His football teams won 90 games and the 1960 U.P. title; his cage teams won three districts and one regional title; and his track teams won 35 meet titles. Roman also coached baseball.

He left Wakefield to become the first athletic director and football coach at Waverly High School in Lansing.

Roman set high standards for his students and athletes, and his love for what he did inspired many of them to go on to become teachers and coaches. Roman instilled in people not only the desire to do well, but to win. He believed that if you gave 110 percent to everything you did, you would always be a winner.

Roman was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was a humble and honorable man, who believed in treating people with respect and fairness.

Roman is survived by five sons, Joseph, Crystal Falls, Steve (Linda), Wakefield, John (Janet), Columbia Falls, Mont., Michael (Vanessa), Irvine, Calif., and Richard (Michelle), Lansing; three daughters, Mary (Tom Lahti) Clark, Wakefield, Marge (Lee) McKenzie, Howell, and Michelle (William) Orosco, Lansing; 19 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Robert (Betty) Zorich, Pipestone, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Jeanne Janisch, La Porte, Ind., and Ann Buhs, Peekskill, N.Y.; numerous nieces and nephews; other loving relatives; a host of friends; and his faithful, loving dog, Chloe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Ann, on Aug. 23, 2004; a son, Roman Vincent, on April 2, 1994; and six brothers and sisters.

Friends may call at the Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield on Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Visitation will continue on Wednesday, Dec. 21, from 10 to 11 a.m., with the honor guard beginning at 10:15 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Louis P. Bracket officiating.

Pallbearers will be Roman's family.

Following the Mass, military rites will take place at the church under the auspices of American Legion Geroux Post 11 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 Honor Guard.

A reception will be held at Father Daniel Hall following the military honors.

Rite of Committal and burial will take place in Lakeside Cemetery.

The Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family. Your condolences may be shared with the family at: lakesidememorialchapel.com.