Otto H. Yehle transitioned from this life on April 17, 2024 at the age of 97 years, 8 months from natural causes; he was quite proud of his longevity. Most recently residing at Sacred Heart Nursing Home, Mr. Yehle was a lifelong resident of New Bedford and attended elementary and secondary schools here. He was a graduate of Fitchburg State College with a B.A. degree in education and was a career educator.

The youngest child of immigrant parents, he spoke German as a child and learned ESL in elementary school. After high school graduation, he worked for the Aerovox Corporation in Acushnet and with his father at County Sheet Metal fabricating duct work for many homes and businesses in New Bedford. He began his 45-year machine drafting teaching career at Diman Vocational High School in Fall River for three years before transferring to the New Bedford Vocational "Voke" High School and in 1977, the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. He retired from his beloved Voke in the mid-1990s with fond memories of all his students.

Upon retirement, he enjoyed traveling with wife, Jeanne, and was especially fond of visiting Jackson Hole, Wyoming in a cabin overlooking the Grand Teton mountain range. When not traveling, he enjoyed doing his daily Standard Times crossword puzzle, watching the Weather Channel and Red Sox games, smoking his pipe, and appreciating Jeanne's excellent cooking. Mr. Yehle was quite well known for his sense of humor and for having a joke or pun for every occasion. He was immensely proud of his Germanic (Bavarian) heritage and sported a larger-than-life handlebar mustache. He attended the Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Jeanne Cole Yehle, infant daughter Gretchen Frances Yehle, parents John J. and Susanne (Neumann) Yehle, sisters and brothers-in-law Sophie Evelyn and Frank Regula, Marion and Clifford Riker, Frances and Frederick (Sully) Sullivan and niece Lynne Foster Bougas.

Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Sue-Ellen and Bob Szymanski Sr. of Milford, MA, Mary-Ellen and Brian J. Arsenault of Rocky Hill, CT, Elaine and Bill Bowen of Cuyahoga Falls, OH; six grandchildren, Brian A. Arsenault (Mist), Megan Deiana Madus (Paul), Nicholas J. Arsenault (Sergio Famiglietti), Ashley Hartt, Evan and Grant Bowen; four great-grandchildren, Hannah Arsenault, Elizabeth and John Hartt, and Maizie Madus, as well as nieces and nephews.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday April 23rd at 11AM at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery.  At his request, visiting hours are omitted. In his honor and memory, donations may be made to The PACE Community Food Center, 477 Park Street, New Bedford, MA 02740-4235 or to a charitable organization of your choice. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.