Gregory Francis Yank, age 74, of O'Fallon, Illinois, born August 13, 1946 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, to Frank Andrew Yank and Carole Florence, nee Carney, Yank, died Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. Greg was preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving are his wife Catherine Taylor Yank, whom he married January 22, 2000; his three children Damien (Lauren, nee Wolf) of Troy, Ill., Julia of O'Fallon, Ill., Gerrit of O'Fallon, Ill.; and three grandchildren Grayson, Stella and Lilly; his siblings Roberta (Nicolas) Curich, Carolyn (Michael) Gillespie, Christine (Ronald Rick) Cash, Thomas (Kathleen), Valerie (Kris Mainz), and Theodore (Linda Paulson).

Greg considered athletics an important part of his life and played basketball in high school and college. Having been raised in Wisconsin, Greg was a passionate fan of the Green Bay Packers and the University of Michigan Wolverines. As an avid golfer he spent many days on the golf course with friends and family. Greg attended golf school with Gerrit, then with Julia and Catherine. The Yanks have always enjoyed St. Louis Cardinal baseball and waited for Opening Day with much anticipation. Greg enjoyed watching his grandson Grayson play select baseball (Redbirds), watching his granddaughter Stella play select soccer (Missouri Rush), and being entertained by his youngest granddaughter Lilly.  He reprised the role of Tiny Tim every December in A Christmas Carol at the Looking Glass Playhouse, Lebanon, Ill. He loved being on stage and participated in community theatre throughout his life.

Greg was a devoted Catholic who lived his faith through Rotary. He was a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of O'Fallon, Illinois, where he served as President in 1992-93 and then as Governor of Rotary International District 6510 Southern Illinois in 2001-2002 and again in 2010-11. Greg completed his term as Rotary International Director 2017-2019. Additionally, he served as Chair and then Member of Rotary's Strategic Planning Committee. Greg received the Service above Self Award in 2014 which is a prestigious award for Rotarians who demonstrate their commitment to helping others by volunteering their time and talents. Greg and Catherine are members of the Arch Klumph Society and the Bequest Society. Greg believed that Rotary enabled him to live a life that mattered because he knew that lives in our communities and the world could be changed because of what Rotarians do!

Greg has served on the Metro East Park & Recreation District and was a Board Member of the O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce. From the beginning, Greg has facilitated the quarterly meetings of BEST (Building Educational Success Together), bringing together the four school districts in the O'Fallon area.

Greg had a BA in philosophy from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, Ill.; an MBA from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio; a "Specialist in Aging" Certificate from the University of Michigan/Wayne State; and was a Graduate of Stanford University's Executive Program.

Greg spent 25 years in health care executive management and leadership, serving twice as a hospital CEO, and as President and CEO of a Catholic Health System.  For 11 years, Greg owned The Alternative Board TAB, a business coaching/peer advisory board franchise.  He then continued to be a business coach on a part-time basis mentoring and working with business owners. He was the principal in GY Consulting & Facilitation Services and specialized in business coaching, strategic planning, facilitation, strategic governance and board development.

The Yank family kindly requests that no flowers be sent. Memorial donations are preferred, and may be made to The Rotary Foundation using this link https://www.endpolio.org/donate .  Presently, donations to End Polio Now are being matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com .

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 am, Friday, January 15, 2021 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O'Fallon, Illinois, with Msgr. William J. Hitpas presiding. Due to COVID restrictions, capacity is limited.

Due to the pandemic, attendance via live-streaming is strongly encouraged by visiting St. Nicholas Church's webpage or by using this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasP3n4VfIKTiiKSRAyAP1A .