Gene Yates

Gene F. Yates, age 67, of Lexington died January 11, 2005 in Naples, Florida. He went to rest in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior. Born November 5, 1937, he was raised on a small farm in Rinard, Illinois. Gene came to work in the Ohio area in 1956, where he met his beloved wife JoAnn Tittle Yates of Cambridge, Ohio. Gene worked as a welder building natural gas lines thru the state of Ohio and founded Mid-Ohio Pipeline Co., Inc. in 1970 in Lexington, Ohio.

Gene Yates was a well trusted and loved gentleman whom always had a kind word or helping hand. His generosity has been known by many. The Lord was a constant in his life and he supported many churches and charitable organizations with a free-giving spirit. Other than God, family and friends, he loved Naples, Florida, golf, and playing cards. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him dearly.

He is the loving father of Debra and Steven Billups and Brent and Kim Yates, all of Lexington, Ohio and the proud grandfather of Jordan, Lauren, and Krista Yates, all of Lexington, Ohio. He is also survived by his brother, retired Lieutenant-Commander Walton Yates and his wife Joy, and their children, Richard, David, and Janet Yates of Oxnard, California; his sister, Letha Michaels and nephew Charles and Patricia Michaels, and their children, Jeff and Jennifer. Gene was preceded in death by his father, Charles Yates; and his mother, Bertha Lusk Yates; and brother-in-law, George Michaels.

He will be honored at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors with calling hours from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday January 14, 2005. Funeral services will be held at the Berean Baptist Church on Middle-Bellville Road in Mansfield on January 15, 2005 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Jim Streib officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.