Erik Yentz

01/26/2004

07/29/2019

Erik James Yentz, 15, of Ada, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2019. He was born on January 26, 2004 in Grand Rapids to Dr. Susan Day and the late Karl Yentz.  Erik recently attended Howe Military Academy in Indiana and was to attend Northpointe Christian High School in the fall, where he was looking forward to being a member of the football team. Erik was a skilled trap shooter and loved hunting, fishing, camping, and boating. He had a heart of gold and his smile always lit up a room.  Erik was preceded in death by his father and his maternal grandmother, Edith Ann Flachs of Remus. He is survived by his mother Dr. Susan Day, sister Olivia Engvall, step-father Jack Smith, grandparents Gordon Flachs of Remus, and Fred and Pat Hoffman of Petoskey. He also leaves behind many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins who will all miss him very much.  The family will meet with friends and relatives on Friday, August 2 from 5-8 PM at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids.  Private graveside services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery, Petoskey, MI.   Memorial contributions may be made in Erik’s name to Goodwillie Environmental School, 8400 Two Mile NE, Ada, MI 49301 or Northpointe Christian School, 3101 Leonard Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI  49525.

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34 Responses

  1. The love you shared with us is being sent back to you…. in a way that will hug your heart… so that just maybe… through all the coming challenges… you remember you are loved so very very much.

  2. Jack,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and you family during this difficult time.
    Kory Luker

  3. Erik,
    You will be greatly missed. So very sorry to hear that you are gone so young.
    My prayers go up for your loved ones left behind. – Chaplain Jones

    Thoughts and prayers from your Howe Military Academy family.

  4. Sue and Jack- We are very sorry for the loss of your son Erik. Our family has you in our prayers and will light a candle at mass in remembrance of your son.

    Sincerely, Scott and Susan Toth

  5. Please know you all are in my prayers and thoughts at this time of loss in your lives. May Our Heavenly Father fill your hearts with His love and Peace. Great Aunt Mariann Hoffman.

  6. Dearest Susan and Olivia,

    Chris and I are so very grieved at the passing of your precious Erik. Living in the first house in the Preserve for so long, we got to send him off to school with a wave or a hearty good morning. We also were able to see him come home and walk his way back home from the front of the Preserve. He was always a gentleman and kind. It was a joy to watch him grow over the years. Our hearts break for your loss.

    May God’s favor be over you both in this most difficult circumstance. May His love for you both and Erik comfort you and may He draw you close to Himself in your grief.

    Our deepest sympathy,
    Steve and Chris Biondo

  7. Had the pleasure of knowing this wonderful young man, very intelligent, great sense of humor, always a loyal companion to me and his lovely girlfriend. He will be missed dearly; rest easy Erik.

  8. I attended howe military and proudly stood by his side during the year we attended, he was a fantastic person and I am proud to call him my friend and my brother, rest well.

  9. Yentz and I weren’t the greatest friends but as soon as I found out that he passed I instantly felt remorseful, because I always tried pushing him away. I’m sorry Yentz

  10. My deepest Sympathy and Condolences to the family of Eric. He always had a smile and something nice to say. Praying for the family
    Sgt. Cheryl Stauffer

  11. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficult of times.
    Dean Theresa Jacobs
    Howe Military Academy

  12. I’m very sorry for the loss of your son Erik. Our family has you in our prayers and will light a candle at mass in remembrance of Erik. Thoughts and prayers from one of your HMA Bravo Co. brothers.

  13. I am so saddened by this tragic loss. My prayers go out to his mother Dr. Susan day and his sister Olivia as well as the rest of the family. My son Alex Weissberg was company commander of echo Company, and he was greatly saddened by Eric’s death Along with other Howe Academy cadets. Rest In Peace, Erik, and walk with God.

  14. Erik,

    My heart is heavy from the news of your passing. I am sad that you’ve left this world so early, and pray for your families peace and strength through these difficult times. You had so much ahead of you. The world will not be the same without you.

    Michael Wilson
    Command Sergeant Major (ret)
    Academy Sergeant Major
    Howe Military Academy

  15. Wishing you courage to face the days ahead, peace to bring comfort, and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.

    Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

  16. My heart aches for you and all your family. you must know you were loved so much by all your relatives. Please know we will remember you in our prayers always and hope Mom and Jack and Olivia can find some peace in the days to com. Love and comfort to all. Great Aunt Joan Hoffman .

  17. Dear Susan, Olivia and Jack: Words are not enough to convey our broken hearts for the loss of Erik. We can only pray for all of you, as countless others are. Praying that God will give you strength to endure the days ahead, and send comfort and peace to your hearts.

  18. rest easy g, i remember them dreams we were gonna have together. love and miss you erik, fly high g.

  19. Eric was a vital member of the Howe Military Academy band playing tuba. His contributions were immense, and he greatly enjoyed the military and honor band opportunities he earned. It was my privilege to grow musically with Eric, and get to know his mother and sister through those experiences. The family is lifted up in prayer, and I hope Eric is now making heavenly music.

  20. So sorry to hear of Erik’s passing. Our condolences to Erik’s mother, Susan.
    Rose Ramirez and John vanSchagen

  21. May God watch over you in heaven and may your family find some solace knowing as such.

  22. Susan and Jack,
    We are heartbroken for your loss and will be keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.

  23. Jack, Susan and Family,

    My prayers are with you and your family. I’m praying that the Lord continue to comfort you all, as you go through the loss of Erik. Erik rest in peace (little angel).

    Love and Blessings,

  24. I’m so sorry for your loss man we weren’t that close but we still sometimes had fun man missed having you at howe g

    Fly high man

  25. So sorry for your loss Jack. My prayers are with you and your family.

  26. Cadet Erik Yentz regularly demonstrated a willingness to step forward for the goal of the Howe Band and Drum Corps. He served music at Howe, leading by example with both school rank and servant leadership. More than that, he shared with us his warm personality. His value to the group as a part of its bass line and as a team player was crucial. He will very much be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

    Ron Richter, Jr.
    Music, English and Yearbook Teacher
    Howe Military Academy

  27. My heartfelt condolences to Erik’s family and friends. Many good memories of Karl and Hans and their parents Dick and Marie.

  28. It has been almost six months and not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought of him, he will eternally be in my thoughts. He left too soon, but the time we had together has left a life long impact. Him and his family is still in my prayers, his memory was just sitting heavy with me today so I thought I’d just leave a little something.

  29. I was not prepared when I found out about Erik’s death. He was everybody’s friend. I don’t remember him having any “enemies” while I was attending Howe. He was loved by all and will continue to be loved by all.

    – “You are brave, you are strong, and you are loved.”

  30. Erik… you were such a funny guy who always could make me smile and feel better when I was sad. I miss you so much, rest in peace.

  31. It’s been over a year since you left us, I can only imagine what you would have done with this year, you would have gone so far and I wish I could’ve seen it, I miss you bro. Wherever you are, you are not forgotten… You are loved. Rest well brother

  32. I will see you again… I miss you my dear dear friend. I am so proud to have called you my brother. Thinking about you as 2020 comes to a close, I wish you were here celebrating with me man. Just know you’re never forgotten and always loved. Rest well

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