The Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company is mourning the loss of one of its own following the passing of J. Earle Yerkes Jr. on Thursday.
Born in Buckingham, Yerkes joined the fire company in 1951 and has held multiple positions over the years, including deputy chief, assistant chief, president and secretary. He was the first of three generations of volunteer firefighters as his son, daughter and grandchildren followed in his footsteps to become members of the department. He lived in Pipersville since 1948, according to his obituary.
Described as a fixture at the firehouse on Stump Road, Yerkes regularly went to monthly business meeting meetings and rarely missed a fundraising event. He was also the former owner of his family farm, The Milk House, and a member of the Doylestown United Methodist Church.