Submitted by: Dan Rich

Joseph F. Yonto

Aug. 2, 1925 - Aug. 4, 2008

South Bend Tribune 8/5/2008
SOUTH BEND - Joseph F. Yonto, 83, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 2:16 a.m. Monday, August 4, 2008, in Memorial Hospital. Joe was born on August 2, 1925, in Orrville, OH, to David and Mary (Muzzi) Yonto. He had lived in South Bend since 1964, coming from Des Plaines, IL. Joe retired in 1987 as a football coach at the University of Notre Dame. On June 4, 1949, in Michigan City, IN, he married Betty L. Rose, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Mary Jo (Peter) Sullivan of Peru, IN, Carol (Jim) MacDonald of South Bend, IN, and Terri (Tim) Scott of South Bend, IN; three sons, Tony (Kathy) Yonto of Bethel Park, PA, Bob (Leslie) Yonto of South Bend, IN, and Joe (Theresa) Yonto of South Bend, IN; 18 grandchildren, Kirk (Mary Pat) Sullivan, Katie (Matt) Mammolenti, Anne Sullivan, Joseph Sullivan, Jennifer (Jason) Kuefler, Scot MacDonald, Carey Yonto, Allison Yonto, Danny Yonto, Kevin Yonto, Caitlin Yonto, Anthony Yonto, Michaela Yonto, Melissa Scott, Sean Scott, Chris Scott, Joey Yonto and Gabe Yonto; one great-grandson, Ben Kuefler; one brother, Anthony (Helen) Yonto of Orrville, OH; one brother-in law, Frank Davis of North Canton, OH; niece and nephew, Mary Beth and James Davis; nephew, Dave (Kathy) Yonto; and great-nephews, Nick and Steve Yonto. Preceding him in death were his parents, David and Mary Yonto; his sister, Dorothy Davis; and his granddaughter, Colleen Scott.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, August 7, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Joe was a member of Holy Cross Parish.

He was a 1948 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he played football for coach Frank Leahy. Joe Yonto was part of five National Championship football teams at Notre Dame, two as a player and assistant coach under Frank Leahy, and three as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator under Ara Parseghian and Dan Devine. After a successful high school coaching career, he returned to Notre Dame in 1964. He served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame for 19 years, including working with Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine, Gerry Faust and Lou Holtz. Under his leadership, Joe taught some of Notre Dame's greatest football players including Alan Page, Kevin Hardy, Pete Duranko, Mike McCoy, Walt Patulski, Mike Kadish, Greg Marx, Ross Browner, Willie Fry, Mike Fanning, Steve Niehaus and Scott Zetteck, all of whom gained All-American honors. More than his accomplishments in the world of football, Joe will be remembered for his love of his wife, children and family members, as well as for his great loyalty to his Alma Mater.