We will always remember Don Yutzy, and always with respect and affection. He was a class act in every way and SHS was lucky to have him. 

And he taught me to drive when others had failed at the task. He made me believe I could. 

Becky Hardin/class of 1967

Mr. Yutzy was my PE teacher and track coach. Being blind, I sometimes found participation in some of the regular PE activities impractical (basketball, for example, proved challenging). Mr. Yutzy blended accommodation and expectation well enough to instill respect and spirit (and of course a few muscles) into those of us who needed adaptations. We trooped into his class with smiles and, though occasionally sore as is to be expected in PE, left with smiles as well. He was a kind and effective man.

Doug Lee, class of 1985

My favorite teacher at SHS by far.  I assisted Mr Yutzy in senior year and he also taught me how to drive.  I'll never forget what he said about the 'acceleration lane' merging onto a freeway, "No racing on city streets but this is one place I want you to punch it!"  Too bad everyone on the road didn't learn from him.  He was the kindest man who was teaching and I'm glad he lived a long life...he was deserving of this.  My hearts and prayers go out to his family, and you should know, he touched MANY!

I would have loved to have Coach Yutzy on every coaching staff I ever had. He instilled the values of hard work, commitment, dedication and sportsmanship in all his players. He coached his players with just the right mixture of tough love and compassion to bring out their best. He may be gone but his legacy will live on as the values he passed on to all who knew him are passed on from generation to generation. I'm sure he's heard the Master's words " well done my good and faithful servant." 
God Bless,
"Coach" John Oaks

Mr. Yutzy was my Sophomore football coach and PE teacher.  One of his favorite sayings was “football is like life: you get hit, you fall down and you get back up again.”  He was a fine man and a great role model for many young athletes in Springfield.  He will be missed greatly.
-John Wolosick 

Dear Yutzy family,
My deepest sympathy on your loss of Mr. Yutzy. I had him for drivers education behind the wheel. He was extremely patient & kind with a car full of future female drivers. I have fond memories of him coaching SHS basketball with my Uncle Norm Keefner. 


Mr. Yutzy took extra time and attention for me both as a coach and as a teacher.  And though his attention made a big difference in my life, I didn't feel like I was any sort of a special case because he was so caring and kind that I was sure he had dozens of other kids that he was helping just the same.  

Dear Jeff,
My thoughts are with you and your family as you say goodbye to a wonderful father and husband.  I believe he is now in the Lord' s hands.  Love you, my dear friend. 

Mr. Yutzy was a very fine man and man of God. I’ve known him since youth group at church and grew up with his children.  He was never judgemental and always greeted you with a smile.  He was a shining example of a Christian.  My condolences to the family. Kent Janes

We send our condolences to you Jeff and your family.   So sorry for the loss of your father.  

He was a wonderful man and teacher and will be missed!

Teresa (Bileck) Benson

Mr. Yutzy was my home room teacher at SHS, (up in the balcony of the Auditorium) , from 1964-1967. 
He was also my Drivers Ed instructor.  
Have often thought about him through the years, as a very kind, gentle person; when I did see him out and about during those years he always spoke!  
My condolences to the family on the passing of your husband and father.

Jeanette (Silger) Mitchell
Class of 1967

Mr. Yutzy was my PE teacher in both elementary school and high school.  I remember him as a kind gentleman.  Martha Kelly Nottingham. SHS CLASS OF 67.

Dear Family, 

Don Yutzy was by far and away one of my favorite teachers at SHS, and I will always remember him fondly. He made me believe I could master things I was afraid of (like bowling and driving) and he was right!

His kindness, intelligence and wit were all remarkable and loved by us all. 

Please accept my sincere sympathies on his passing. He was one in a million. 

Becky Hardin
Class of 1967

Very sorry to l earn of the passing of Mr. Yutzy.  Mr. Yutzy was a presence in my life from grade school as a PE teacher, through high school as a PE teacher, coach and driver's education instructor.

He was an excellent teacher and person.

My condolences to the Yutzy family.



I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Yutzy. He was truly a wonderful man. He was my Sophomore football coach and drivers ed teacher. 

I saw him several times after high school and he always remembered me . He always seemed to be very happy. 



Jack Hellner.
SHS Class of 1971

I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Yutzy passing.  He was my favorite at SHS.  He was my homeroom teacher from 1964 - 1967.  He was also my driver's ed teacher.  I've often thought about him.  I'm sending prayers for the family that you find comfort in memories of him.

Linda Smith Tubbs Moody

Mr Yutzy was my favorite P.E. teacher and football coach. Used to see him around town once in a while and he always remembered me, even though he coached hundreds of students.
Last time I saw him he said he had had a stroke and didn't remember me, very sad. I have many great memories of him, he will be missed.
Ben Fox  Class of 1967 

I remember “Mr. Yutzy” fondly - he always had a smile and a kind word. 
Dan Grebler
SHS, Class of ‘67

If our lives are judged by the number of people we have touched, Mr. Yutzy would be judged at the top.  He and Mr. Hudson are the ones who talked me into attending Illinois State University.  BS and MS later, I have never regretted it and thank them to this day for their support.  He was a wonderful man who will be missed by many.  Rest in peace Mr. Yutzy.


So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Debbie (Miller) Proctor 

I remember drivers ed with Mr Yutzy.  He had me drive the ‘83 Sick shift Rabbit to a drive up and get ice cream. Then drive, eat and shift gears. 
Always encouraging.  

I'm sorry for this loss to all the family of this good person .I was a student of his.and I'm glad to have gotten to know him.surley God has a place for him at the table

To the Yutzy Family, 

I had to pleasure of having Mr. Yutzy as my Driver’s Education teacher. I had him for behind the wheel and also Health. His kindness and warm smile were so welcoming. I knew him later in life through church. He truly lived his faith. He will be remembered for his faith, kindness and by the positive example he set for all of us at SHS. Rest in peace, Mr. Yutzy. 

To the family of Mr Yutzy: I was a student at Springfield High School in the early 1980s. Mr Yutzy had an amazing instinct for knowing who was having trouble at home: I was one of those students. He was ALWAYS so kind and generous of heart to me (and I REALLY needed it). The world has lost such a wonderful man with the loss of him. He also attended church with my Mom and stepdad, Helen and Marshall McDonald. I now live in Denver, Colorado or I would absolutely be there for the memorial. Please know that I am sending so much love and healing prayers your way. Kala Kincaid Callahan

I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Yutzy.
Thankful I was able to tell him multiple times what he meant to me over the years.  He was the first mentor who I was able to have conversations about deep topics of  scripture and the challenges of being a Christ follower in the world.  He frequently challenged me to be MORE; love more, give more, try more, laugh more and BE MORE  for Christ and for myself personally.   He was the first to push me out of my comfort zone to take a leadership role with my peers in church and at SHS.  He also was so much fun.  He was always positive and full of laughter and loved Flo and his kids!  

Don was also a junior high youth sponsor and i remember his testimony of faith he gave us and during those adolescent periods of doubt during high school he always sought me out at high school  to see how I was doing.   I'll always remember as  my drivers ed teacher the first time i got in the car he stopped to get coffee and came back and said now don't spill my coffee while you drive :)  His life helped shape my faith in the late 60s-70s for which I am so thankful for the person he was. Blessings to his family during this time. Jennie Lammert Van schyndel

Sadness, loving thoughts, great memories...all of the above after hearing of Mr. Yutzy's passing.
He was an amazing individual that had a special touch, a loving but exemplary read on kids! His tone, his actions, will never be forgotten. Thank you, Sir, for your compassion,  leadership and such an impression on me and my children.

Dear Yutzy family, 
My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you say good bye. On our mission trip to Grundy Mountain Mission, while we were hiking up Stone Mountain, your Dad had talk with Tom & I (both 16 years old at the time), because we had committed a PDA violation. He insinuated that holding hands would cause pregnancy. Lol! We have laughed about that talk so many times. We loved and respected your  dad and so appreciated his loving guidance when we were in youth group and as we were married so young ( and not because we were holding hands, wink wink). He was a Godly Saint and I can see him praising God at the throne. Revelation 7:15-17
He will be missed, but his life here was lived well and he left a wonderful legacy for you and your children and the generations to come. Love to all of you. Beth & Tom Formea

OBITUARY

Donald Ray Yutzy

September 1, 1931 – December 18, 2022

Bisch & Son Funeral Home

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