Donna J. Yates

Donna J. Yates, 86, of South Bend, IN passed away at 8:31 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Hospice House.   She was born on August 1, 1930 in Clinton, IN to the late Daniel W. and Mary Elizabeth (Cooper) Morris.  On January 29, 1949 in South Bend, IN, she was united in marriage to Guy R. Yates who preceded her in death on April 23, 2000. 

Donna is survived by three daughters, Gay Marie (Michael Bowman) Koenigshof of Niles, MI, Tina Jean (John) Mullins of South Bend, IN and Hope Ann (Jeff) Gust of LaPorte, IN; six grandchildren, Sara Beth and Tyler Koenigshof, Ashley Mullins, Greg and Guy Tatay and Tim Gust and three great grandchildren, Maddi Jo Tatay, Parker James Gust and Natilynn Kincaid Love.  She was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Nerche and four brothers, William C., Roy, Arch and Ralph Morris.

Donna moved to South Bend in 1935 coming from Decatur, IL.  She was the head cashier for the former Cook's Department Store, South Bend, retiring in 1981 after twenty years of service.  Donna was a seventy plus year member of the former Calvary Temple, now South Gate Church.  She was a member of the Red Hat Society and loved being a caregiver to all her friends and family.

Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend, IN.  Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.   Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Donna J. Yates may be offered to Alzheimer's Services, 922 E. Colfax Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617 or Center for Hospice Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 466373 or American Cancer Society, 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

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