Richard Lee Yater

June 4, 1938 – April 5, 2022

Richard Lee Yater went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington. He was welcomed to his Heavenly home by his wonderful wife, mother, and many treasured family members and friends.

He was born June 4, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan to Leona Belle Wirth Yater and Morris Cliston Yater.

He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Monticello, Ind., in 1956. He married Evelyn Kay Gross Nov. 24, 1956, near Montezuma, Ind. They were married for 63 years. Throughout his life he loved the thrill of buying and selling. He excelled in hunting both in the woods and for bargains be it cars or tractors. He enjoyed fishing, boating, and playing euchre. He worked hard alongside his wife raising their three children. He worked as a mechanic at Skip’s Mobil in Crawfordsville and then he worked 27 years at CEL&P retiring in 1995. He and Evelyn then moved to Burkesville, Ky. They worked together tirelessly on their small farm raising cattle, chickens and goats. He loved being in charge of when hay was to be cut down and when it should be put in the barn. Riding his tractor was his favorite pastime.

Survivors include a son, Thomas Lee (Donna) Yater of Lafayette; two daughters, Leona Kay Yater of Glen Ellyn, Ill. and Ellen (Gary) Rooze of Crawfordsville; sister, Anna Yater of Crawfordsville; and sister-in-law, Sharon Gross of Monticello; grandchildren, Doug (Jamie), Dan (Elizabeth), and David (Courtney) Rooze of Crawfordsville and Zachary (Ariel), Tucker (Megan) and Lily Yater of Lafayette. He also was blessed with eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; and parents, Leona and Morris.

Services are scheduled at Hunt and Son Funeral Home in Crawfordsville, Ind., Saturday, April 9th at noon. Visitation will be from 10 until the time of the service. Interment will be at Oak Hill South. Condolences and memories may be left at www.huntandson.com