Louis Daniel Yovanovich

On Friday, January 21, 2022, the world lost a great son, brother, husband, father and leader. Louis "Big Lou" Daniel Yovanovich was called home after a long battle with leukemia. His beloved wife, Onie, and their children, by his side. Big Lou was born in Akron, Ohio on May 1, 1951 to the late Louis "Laz" and Evelyn (nee Hardman) Yovanovich. He was the youngest of their three children.

As a lifelong resident, and better known as "The Legend of Goodyear Heights", he attended East High School where he excelled in every sport he played which included baseball, basketball, and football. It was there that he also found his soulmate and high school sweetheart, Onie Knowles.

He went on to play football at Eastern Michigan University on a full ride scholarship. He was inducted into the East High School Hall of Fame, The Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame. He was a dedicated employee, as a general manager at Tramonte Dist. for 36 years. Lou's proudest achievement was raising money to fight neuromuscular disease, raising over a quarter million dollars through various charitable events, spanning over 40 years. He was an avid boater "life is good" and loved to travel with his family.

Big Lou is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Onie, whom he married on December 24, 1970; his children, Lou (Becky) Yovanovich, Daniel (Jennifer) Yovanovich and Nicole (Ryan) Wise; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Mike Yovanovich and Patty (Paul "Pudge") Kolasky.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 North Canton Road, Akron, where Father Jeremy Merzweiler will celebrate Big Lou's life.

Family and friends may visit on Saturday from 12:00 - 2:00 PM.

A special thank you to the hospice of the Western reserve. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MDA of Northeast Ohio or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.