David Bernard Yelton
(1953-2023)

 

Finance Director
Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society

Dave was born to Clair M. and Anita M. (Dwertman) Yelton on September 3, 1953, his mother’s birthday. He attended La Salle High School where he participated in the Band, Drama Club, Chess Club, and on the Wrestling Team. He earned six bronze, silver, and gold honor pins.

Dave graduated from Thomas More College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting, then from Seton Hall University with a Master of Science degree in tax accounting. Subsequently he earned Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, and Certified Management Accountant.

Dave went to work for the NCR Corporation and later Duke Energy, where he focused on Corporate Tax Accounting, budgeting, and reporting total corporate income tax expense, including accounting for the differences caused by the reporting conflicts between accounting principles and income tax law. Dave retired after 37 years.

Long before he retired, he was involved in altruistic endeavors. At times, he was a church cantor or choir member. For a few years he sang in a “barbershop chorus.” When a friend asked for advice in preparing tax reports for a new business, he prepared the reports and taught the friend how to do so in the future. When an elderly woman inherited decades old stock certificates and asked for direction, he researched them all and prepared her tax forms for a couple of years until she chose to do them herself. His next-door neighbor trusted him so much as to name him executor of her estate. A couple name him and his wife in their will as guardians of their children. These are mere examples of his acts of kindness and generosity and the trust he engendered.

Dave was a founding board member of the Interfaith Hospitality Network (now Family Promise) of Warren County, with which his wife, Margy, was also heavily involved. Their mission statement is to ensure that every family has a home, a livelihood, and a future full of promise.

He also served with the local St. Vincent DePaul Society.

After being diagnosed with a rare genetic neuromuscular disease, Kennedy’s Disease, he found ways to support others also living with the condition. He learned all that he could about Kennedy’s Disease which results in a slow decline in mobility and swallowing. He shared this information with others at Kennedy’s Disease Association annual conferences. He joined their board of directors and most recently became their Treasurer.

About 2006, when the Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society opened its door and found themselves lacking in financial acumen, Dave counselled the Treasurer, then joined yet another non-profit and became the Chairman of their Finance Committee, completing monthly, semiannual, and annual reports and keeping straight all the various general and restricted funds and bank and stock accounts.

He served all four of these non-profits for the rest of his life, but still found time to be a most dedicated father and husband. Nothing was more important to him than family.

Kennedy’s Disease is not terminal, but when he was injured in a fall, the disease prevented his recuperation. He died peacefully on December 18, 2023, age 70. Included in his last works was a wish for his wife to have a happy birthday.

He was predeceased by his parents and infant brother, Michael Yelton. Dave is survived by his wife of 43 years, Margaret Ann (Kilian) Yelton; daughter, Anita Marie (Michael) Martin, grandchildren, Nathan Martin and Sophie Martin; and brother, Don (Ann Saluke) Yelton.

A visitation will be held at Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 26, from 4 to 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis DeSales Roman Catholic Church, Lebanon, Wednesday, December 27, at 10:00 a.m. Private inurnment at Spring Grove Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Kennedy’s Disease Association or Family Promise of Warren County.

 

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