He was born on June 9, 1937, in Peoria, IL, the son of Forest and Gretchen (Albright) Yeates. Dick married Loretta Logan on January 16, 1960, in Lincoln. She preceded him in death, on September 9, 2012.
Dick graduated from Lincoln High School. He learned the shoe repair trade at a school in Decatur and went on to own and operate Dick’s Shoe Repair, which he sold to his son, Mark, in 1992. Dick was a member of Central Baptist Church and later West Side Christian Church. He enjoyed riding his bicycle, watching auto racing and sports in general, and spending winters in Florida for over 40 years.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Yeates, and sister, Carol Hilscher.
Dick is survived by his sons, Gregory Yeates and Mark (Tami Williams, partner) Yeates, both of Springfield; grandchildren, Mark, Matthew (Kristina), Cory (Regan), Tyler (Brittany), Jordan, and Chace; seven great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; siblings, Dale (Elaine) Yeates of Superior, WI and Mary Ann (Al Wille) Eisenhuth of La Moille, IL; and special friend, Sharon Nation of Springfield.
Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield, followed by the Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Matt Cleveland officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to: American Heart Association at www.heart.org or American Cancer Association at cancer.org/dignitymemorial
