Donald Lowell Yerk, 85, of Chalmers, passed away at 10:50 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2016 at home surrounded by his family after a three year battle with cancer.

He was born March 10, 1931 in Chalmers, Indiana to the late Algin and Irene (Bailey) Yerk and graduated from Round Grove school.

His marriage of over 65 years was to Clarice Elizabeth McKnight on February 4, 1951 in the Brookston United Methodist Church; she survives.

   Mr. Yerk enjoyed farming all of his life and was very successful. He had the privilege to co-host the Indiana Farm Management tour in 1988 and in 1982 set the world record for the most bushels of corn harvested in three hours with a John Deere 8820 combine for a John Deere Days film.

He was an active member of Badger Grove Community Baptist Church. He had been on the White County REMC board for 21 years. He was on the White County Fair Board for seven years and was past President of the board for two years.

Don enjoyed toy tractors, going to the many tractor shows and visiting with the many people there. He also enjoyed going to Ft. Myers, Florida every winter since 1983.

Surviving with his wife Clarice are their children, Debra Maddox (husband: Terry) of Riverside, California and Larry Yerk (wife: Jan) of Chalmers and a sister, Marilyn Keiser (husband: Jerry) of Jefferson, Wisconsin.

Don loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren, Kimberly Harville (husband: Daniel), Amber Bauchle (husband: Richie) and James Yerk (wife: Leigha)and their two great-grandchildren, Kaylee Harville and Leila Bauchle.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Lyle Yerk.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2016 at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home of Brookston. Funeral service 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2016; Pastor Roger Strunk to officiate. Interment to follow in Tippecanoe Memory Gardens Cemetery, West Lafayette.

Memorial may be given to the Badger Grove Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.