Lourita Joy (Hannafus) Yore

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Lourita Joy (Hannafus) Yore, age 89, a Shelby, OH native and current resident of Westland, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Trinity Health Hospital in Livonia, MI.

Rita was born at home on South Street in Shelby, OH, the eldest of five girls born to the late Ernest F. and Florence Ida (Pry) Hannafus. She graduated from Shelby High School in 1952 where her classmates voted her “Best Disposition”- a trait that remained with her throughout her entire life. At the youthful age of 18, she and a friend began nursing training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit- a culture shock to two Shelby girls to say the least. This move, however, changed her life in many ways. For a nursing class reunion, Rita was asked to write an autobiography which laid out her life and its many adventures. Here is some of what she wrote:

“Classes and work schedules were quite grueling. Despite this, we did have many fun times and chances to meet new people. One week before my 20th birthday, while attending a sock hop and preparing to leave because of not having fun, a friend said, “three tall guys walked in.” One of them was Ken Yore- tall, tan, and just discharged from the Marines. We hit it off right away with similar interests. After graduation, my first job was at Henry Ford Hospital for several months. Ken graduated from the Police Academy and became one of “Detroit’s Finest.” We tied the knot on October 27, 1956 and many friends and family made the trek to Detroit for the event. We bought a house on Detroit’s eastside and in 1958 we had a son. My family was very happy to have a boy in the family- my mom had five girls. We would then have two girls in 1960 and 1962.

Ken and I both worked many different shifts and most holidays. We both decided that nurses and policemen get together because “misery loves company.” In 1969 we sold our home and bought a small farm and farmhouse fixer-upper in Croswell, MI (80 miles north of Detroit). This is where we raised our children. Ken had to keep a residence in Detroit for work and came home on the weekends, days off, and vacations. I had many different jobs in nearly every facet of nursing including Director of Nursing at Yale Medical Center in Yale, MI. Ken retired after 25 years with the department, and we decided then to take on another “old home”. This time, full circle back to the home where I was born and raised in Shelby, OH.

We bought it from my mother following my dad’s death and went through extensive renovations. My “big city” husband surprised us and loved his small town and managed to make many friends and keep busy. I immediately found employment at the Shelby Home and Public Health League which ultimately was my favorite job as I could visit people at their homes and farms and provide nursing assistance. I retired in 1989.”

When she and Ken moved to Shelby, she was able to be near her four sisters who were more than sisters- they were dear friends. When grandchildren started being born, they made many trips back to Michigan so as to always be involved. She was certainly a beloved grandmother. They loved trips to visit their daughter, Sue, at their farm and home on beautiful Lake Huron which fondly continued traditions and good memories from the cottage they once had and cherished in Lexington, MI on Lake Huron in days past. Ken passed following rapidly declining health in 1996. Her son, Tim, then selflessly moved to Shelby with his mom to help her- something he continued to do until her very last day. This was such a special relationship to Rita. And, while in Shelby, Rita was able to care for her mother until her death at age 101 in 2013.

Nearly immediately following her mom’s passing, she decided to permanently return to Michigan once again to be closer to her family- a “new” and welcome change for the end of her life. She loved her home in Westland and being near them. Of course, she still enjoying many trips back to Shelby to visit as she was always a Whippet and Buckeye at her core.

Rita also lived an active life which included interests such as crafts, antiques, music, gardening, reading, keeping up with current events, scrapbooking, and church activities- to name a few. In addition, she was an outstanding cook and baker. In her final years, she faithfully enjoyed streaming church services from Shelby First Lutheran Church and cherished being able to continue to be a part of the church from afar.

Survivors include her children: Timothy Yore of Westland, MI, Kimberly (James) McHenry of Plymouth, MI, and Susan (Dave) Myers of Lexington, MI; grandchildren: Emily (Sam) Hasselbach, Daniel (Jen) McHenry, Michael McHenry, Jennifer (Weldeab) Weldeab, Corey (Emily) Smith, Whitney (Sean) Owen, and Brandon Smith; great grandchildren: Danny, Laney, Riley, and Bennett; sisters: Carole Pittis of Bedford, Ruth (Don) Bolles, Pam Blankenhorn, and Mary Lee Barr all of Shelby; sister-in-law: Marjean Fahey of Port Huron, MI; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Family and friends are welcome on Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 10 am-12 noon at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, OH 44875 where funeral services will immediately follow at 12 noon. Rev. Dr. Russel Yoak will officiate the services with burial following in Little London Cemetery, Shelby. Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church, 33 Broadway Avenue, Shelby, OH 44875 for, donor’s choice, to benefit either their Endowment Fund or Organ Fund.

Online condolences may be made on Rita’s obituary on the Penwell Turner Funeral Home’s website or their Facebook page.