Slippery Noodle’s Hal Yeagy Remembered
Our hearts are heavy as we remember one of our fellow venue owners in the wake of his passing. Longtime owner of the Slippery Noodle, Hal Yeagy passed away Thursday November 18 at the age of 63.
The IIVA extends its deepest condolences to the staff at the Slippery Noodle, Carol Yeagy and his family.
Visitation services will take place on Monday November 23 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m at G. H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Avenue, Indianapolis, IN. More information on visitation and funeral services are included below.
Our venues have formed a bond through this pandemic. Our alliance has developed into more of a family than an organization. Losing a loved one is something you never want to experience. Losing a loved one while you are fighting for your livelihood amidst a public health emergency is unfathomable.
Hal Yeagy was a kind soul that left a lasting impression on everyone that knew him: his customers, his staff, the artists and the community. Regarded as the oldest bar continuously operating in Indiana, Hal spent decades transforming “The Noodle” into a Midwest Blues mainstay.
IIVA Executive Director, Josh Baker, spoke to alliance members this week about Hal’s passing.
”Before this pandemic began, I had met Hal a couple of times through mutual friends. Starting in March, Hal and I would talk a couple times a week. He was not able to make all of our meetings due to his treatments, so we’d go over what transpired that week so he didn’t miss any opportunities. I really enjoyed those late night conversations and getting to know him. He was a genuine, kind person that taught me a lot in a short time. I can't imagine going through what we are all going through, and then losing your leader that's holding it together. His wife, his family and his staff are all in our daily thoughts and wishing them strength to persevere.”
Photo: Jenna Watson/Indy Star
Dave Lindquist, from the Indy Star, had a great story in Friday’s paper that served as an honorable tribute to the work Hal has done for the community, the blues and the Indiana Independent Venue Alliance.
Hal was a lot of things to many different people. After reading this excerpt from his obituary, you can get a good understanding of what kind of a person he was.
Hal Yeagy will be remembered by many.
He’ll be remembered by his wife Carol as the love of her life.
By his five children as a caring, proud, fun-loving father who bragged about them to anyone who would listen.
By his 11 grandchildren as the man who owned the “Noodle” and whose face lit up when he saw them.
By his extended family as a hard worker, carrying on the legacy of his parents.
By countless musicians as one of the most hands-on venue owners and blues lovers they’d ever met.
By hundreds of staff who learned, failed, and were given a second chance.
By the Colts, Pacers, and Boilermakers as a devoted fan, regardless of what the season record said.
By the brewers of Michelob and Budweiser and the creators of Wild Turkey and Crown Royal as a lifetime fan.
By his Cathedral classmates as one of the great ones.
By the South Side as the guy who brought fine dining and a little bit of the City that Never Sleeps to Greenwood.
By Indianapolis as a fierce advocate for the role live music plays in the vibrancy of a city.
By a whole host of thousands of strangers as the guy who created a place where they met their significant other, believed in ghosts, found a new favorite musician or can trace any other number of life-altering events.
All of that in 63 short years.
Visitation & Funeral Details
Obituary
Visitation: Monday November 23 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM
G. H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Avenue, Indianapolis, IN.
Additional visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the memorial mass begins at 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at St. Roch Catholic Church, 3600 S. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, 46227.
All are welcome, masks are required.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.