Heaven must have needed a laugh. Donald J. Yelenosky, Jr. 58, was set free to be with his Lord and Savior on December 26, 2024, in Chicago, leaving a world significantly less witty and entirely less fun. Born on August 24, 1966 in Orange Village, Ohio, to the late Patricia (Schmidt) and Donald Yelenosky, Don had the dubious honor of being the middle child of five siblings who were also his best friends: Julie Santo, Elizabeth Petrello, Annie Yelenosky, and Michael Yelenosky (wife Jennifer). While Don insisted he never ranked his siblings, he also warned that he secretly kept score.

After attending Miami University of Ohio, Don followed his dreams to New York City, where he lived a life lifted straight out of the pages of Architectural Digest. While in New York, he not only traveled the world, falling in love with Paris and Amsterdam, but also took advantage of all that New York had to offer—attending a private party hosted by Anna Wintour, rubbing elbows with Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and hugging Carly Simon—twice. New York was where Don thrived, embracing everything the city had to offer with his signature charm, quick wit, and impeccable taste.

After his years in New York, Don moved to Chicago, where he spent the last 20 years of his life. It was in Chicago that he met his partner of 19 years, Mike Allen, and found a second family at Jayson Home. His life in Chicago may have been a slower pace than he knew in New York, but it also made him more accessible to the people he loved the most…his amazing and wonderfully crazy family.

Don's family remembers him most for his thoughtfulness, intelligence, and razor, sharp humor. He had a way of observing the world and delivering the perfect, devastatingly clever remark, always with the kind of comedic timing that would make a stand-up jealous. He had a knack for using his wit to slightly insult you but then absolve himself by saying, "I meant that lovingly," which he undoubtedly did.

Don's family was the center of his universe. He was an adored uncle to his five nieces and nephews: Julie's children—Nikki (husband Michael Cruny), JD, and Anthony—and Annie's daughters, Emmy and Maya. He also had the honor of being a great-uncle to Nikki's children, Sienna, Mila, and Charlie. Growing up as part of a tight-knit extended family, Don was blessed to also share a special closeness with his aunts Nancy (Wright), Susan (Brust), Debbie (Dubsky) and Laurie (Frank) as well as his 7 cousins who he considered more like siblings than cousins. He leaves behind many loving family members in both of the Yelenosky and Schmidt/Boros families as well as many wonderful friends.

Don's family will miss him more than words can say, but we hold him in our hearts and know he is at peace in the arms of our Lord and Savior. Don's unshakable faith in the everlasting grace of God brings us comfort as we imagine there is a party raging in heaven to welcome him home. We picture him being embraced by the unconditional love of his parents, grandparents and Michael while he laughs with Aunt Nancy, Aunt Susan and Aunt Laurie. I hope heaven is ready.

Don's siblings will host a celebration of his life at a time yet to be determined. However, Don left explicit instructions for what he wanted, warning that he'd come back to haunt us if we didn't follow them—so definitely no paper plates or plastic silverware.

The family requests that you honor his life by donating to one of his favorite charities: Mercyships.org or Heifer.org