Dakota Blake Yester, 17

Dakota Blake Yester, 17, of Mercerville, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 7:35 p.m. at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington, West Virginia of a brain aneurysm.

He was born August 21, 1997 to Amanda Smith, who survives, and the late Joshua Yester. Dakota was an organ donor. He was a junior at Gallia Academy High School. His interests included the Marines, music, playing drums, playing play station, leading the G-force (GAHS student football fan section). Dakota enjoyed meeting and talking to new people. He wanted to join the Marines and concentrate on psychology. He especially enjoyed hanging with special friends, Noah Sias, Dustin Wamsley and Samuel Payne. Dakota loved his white BMW, his nickname Albino and the color purple. His favorite Bible verse was John 3:16.

Surviving are his parents, Amanda Smith and Justin Roach of Mercerville, Ohio; his sibling, Bishop Yester of Mercerville; maternal grandparents, David and Anita Smith of Gallipolis; paternal grandparents, Alvin and Sheila Yester of Rio Grande; maternal great grandmothers, Dorothy Haner of Gallipolis and Patsy Smith of St. Helen, Michigan; paternal great grandmother, Joyce Blanton of Rio Grande; great aunts and uncles, Danny Smith, Cindy (Jerry) Harrison, Linda (Mike) Plymale, Deanna (Randy) Syrus and Tammy Haner; special uncle, Dylan Smith; aunts and uncles, Tanya Haner, Ryan Cisco, Holly Haner, Zach Haner; special friends Noah Sias, Dustin Wamsley, Samuel Payne; and several other friends from Gallia Academy.

Dakota was preceded in death by his father Joshua Yester,  a great uncle Mark Haner, maternal great grandfathers Kenneth Haner and Henry Smith, paternal great grandparents Erskine Blanton, Albert and Thelma Yester and uncles Justin Smith and Jeffrey Fulkerson.

Services will be 1:30 p.m., Sunday, October 19, 2014 at the Gallia Academy High School Auditorium with Pastor Mark Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Centenary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gallia Academy High School Auditorium on Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 1-5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Dakota’s Memorial Account at Ohio Valley Bank.

Willis Funeral Home is assisting the family.