James R. Yohey

GUILDERLAND – James Robert Yohey, 76, of Guilderland, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Jim was born in Pontiac, MI, the son of the late William Clayton Yohey and Melva M. Jones Yohey. He lived for a time in Birmingham, MI, before his family moved to Guilderland in 1961. Jim was a 1967 graduate of Guilderland High School, and he attended the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh for a time before graduating from Simmons Institute of Funeral Service. He served in the Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976, and served his funeral directing residency at the Tebbutt Funeral Home in Albany before joining his father-in-law, Porter Bidleman at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont. Jim later took over ownership of Fredendall’s, and operated it with his brother-in-law, Mark Burlingame until 2006, when he sold the business. He retired from funeral directing in 2006.

An avid golfer, Jim worked in retirement at pro shops located at Orchard Creek Golf Course in Altamont, Argent Lakes Golf Course in Bluffton, SC, and the Saratoga Spa Golf Course in Saratoga. Jim was an active member of the Altamont Reformed Church in Altamont, was a Mason, loved playing softball, and was a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Lions.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife Barbara A. Bidleman; his daughter Alissa M. Yohey of Wynantskill; his son Michael J. Yohey (Sarah) of Fredericksburg, VA; his grandchildren Aidan, Gavin, and Nolan Templeton, and Logan and Colton Yohey; his sister Jean Mattimore (Peter) of Voorheesville; his sister-in-law Beth Burlingame of Altamont; several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephew. He was predeceased by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Alice (Sally) Bidleman and Porter Bidleman, brother-in-law Mark Burlingame, and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mary Lou and Al Kisby.

Funeral services will be held in the Altamont Reformed Church, Lincoln Ave. & Jay St., Altamont on Friday, November 21st at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the church on Thursday, November 20th, from 2-5 p.m. Interment will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Guilderland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Mary Lou Kisby – Elizabeth Severson Scholarship Fund at Guilderland High School, The Guilderland Food Pantry, Community Hospice, ARC, or the Michael J Fox Parkinson’s foundation. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.