Jerome W. McIlvanie

Jerome was born to Wallace and Hattie McIlvanie on April 29, 1943 in Yakima and passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Multicare Yakima Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.

He grew up in Ahtanum and graduated from West Valley High School in 1961. Growing up he enjoyed mushing with the family dog team in the North Fork and vacationing in the San Juan Islands before they became popular.

Several years after graduation he began working at Decoto Aircraft as a milling specialist and continued working there for 43 years where he retired as a prototype supervisor in December 2003. He was known as “Mac” to his co-workers and commended for his ability to transform an engineer’s idea into a working part or unit in a short amount of time. This was a skill he carried into all passions and hobbies.

In the early years at Decoto he met his wife of 57 years, Shirley, and moved to Naches Heights where he beautified the 4+ acre property that once was the Naches Heights Community Center Park. Over the 53 years they lived on the Heights, you could find Jerome tending to the yard and garden, building rock walls and formations around the property, feeding the quail, caring for the many orphaned dogs and cats dropped off on the Heights by “irresponsible pet owners” (as quoted by Jerome), taking day trips with his family and sharing his love of the San Juan Islands during annual summer vacations.

And when not tending the property, you could find him in the garage doing stained glass, wood working, like spinning bowls and trays and building furniture, or building a 20 foot Chebacca Wooden Sailboat and a 16 foot Adirondack Guide Boat.

While a man of few words, Jerome loved being around friends and family. Whether it was supporting his daughters, Jennifer and Erin, in their sporting events growing up, or having coffee with neighbors at the The Little Store on Naches Heights and then at the fire house, he was a quiet observer but enjoyed the presence and company of others.

Jerome is survived by his wife Shirley, as well as daughters Jennifer Platt (Justin) and Erin Poznanski (Ryan). He also is survived by grandchildren Katarina Platt, Liam Platt, Emma Poznanski, his sister Nancy Dorr and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Wallace and Hattie.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Jerome’s memory to the K9 Foundation Yakima Valley or the Yakima Humane Society Spay and Neuter Clinic.

The family also offers a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Arbor House at Avamere for their care and compassion.

A Celebration of Life Open House will be held at Naches Heights Fire Department (5000 Naches Heights Rd, Yakima, WA 98908) on Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm for family and friends.