Richard L. Yates

Richard L. Yates, 77, of Springfield, passed away on Thursday December 18, 2014 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born on January 8, 1937 in Springfield to James B. and Violet L. Sebring Yates. Richard married Donna Dodd in Springfield in 1959 and she survives.

Mr. Yates is also survived by three children: Robert E. (Marianne) Yates of Sycamore, IL., Judith A. (James) Sprague of Tacoma, WA., and Sheryl L. (Harry) Delind of Springfield, IL., three grandchildren: Kendra Leisson, Darren Blackmon, and Jessica Ferguson, one brother James B. (Rosemary) Yates of Romulus, MI., and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by two sisters: Betty West and Doris Hansel.

Richard was a US Army Veteran and he was the owner and operator of Rich Yates Plumbing Service in Springfield for 31 years. He was a member of Springfield Lodge #4 A.F. & A.M., Springfield Consistory, ANSAR Shrine, ANSAR Patrol, ANSAR Cookie Unit, the Royal Order of Jesters Court 20, and he was a Chicago Cubs fan.

A funeral service will be held at 12:30pm on Tuesday December 23, 2014 at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road, with burial to follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct Military Honors. The family will meet friends from 4:00-6:00pm Monday at Bisch West with Masonic Services starting at 6:00. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com.