Mary L. Yates, of Niles

Published 9:16 am Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Sept. 16, 1945 — Aug. 14, 2015

Mary L. Yates, age 69 years of Edwardsburg, Michigan died on Friday, August 14, 2015 at her home following an extended illness. She was born September 16, 1945 in South Bend to Walter A. and Josephine (Poorman) VanKirk.

Mary Yates

Mary graduated from Brandywine Schools in Niles and was a forklift operator at Fapco Inc. in Buchanan, retiring in 2008. She enjoyed doing crafts and crocheting, playing BINGO and dancing. She especially loved spending time with her family.

In 1979 in Niles, she married Donald Joseph Yates, who preceded her in death in 2006. She was also preceded in death by her brother Ernest.

Surviving family includes four daughters, Ellen (& Thomas) White Vaughn of Niles, Tifani Mary (& Ski) Paholski of Edwardsburg, Michelle (& Robert) Cooper of Niles and Kathy (& Paul) Peterson of Niles; 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Mary’s brothers, Noah VanKirk of Nolanville, Texas and Jerry VanKirk of Constantine, Michigan; sister Sylvia VanKirk, special friend Daniel Rouse and caregiver Frances Lynn Pellow.

The funeral service for Mary L. Yates will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Michael Elsey of Ontwa Baptist Church in Edwardsburg officiating. Interment will follow at the Smith Chapel Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Donations in memory of Mary may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

www.halbritterfunerals.com