Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Judy A. Yates, 76, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born in Rochester on April 6, 1949, Judy was the daughter of Junior and Laura Ault Swihart. She attended Akron schools.
One evening while hanging with her girlfriend at Gardener’s in Warsaw, a boy on a motorcycle sped by. That motorcycle came back around and the driver, William E. “Bill” Yates, said to her “You are good looking.” He asked her if she wanted to go for a ride and that ride gave them 58 years of love, laughs and memories. Bill and Judy would marry in Silver Lake on Nov. 3, 1967, and welcome four children.
Judy worked for R.R. Donnelley for 42 years, with her highest position being an assistant pressman and retiring as a tab checker. Bill worked with her there as well and they both very much enjoyed working for them and made many lasting friendships.
She had a huge heart but was also the silent type. Just loved flowers, tending to her gardens and raising roses all around her house. The couple loved sitting on their back patio and watching the eagles fly, deer roam and many others of God’s creatures. The couple owned and showed horses for numerous years in Indiana and traveling the Midwest; her favorite was showing American Paint Horses. They were members of the Indiana Paint Horse Club, the American Pinto Horse Club and the American Quarter Hourse Association.
Above all, Judy loved her kids and grandchildren. She adored phone calls from them at any time of the day. And after retirement, she enjoyed being able to have special breakfast and dinner dates with her family.
She is dearly missed by the love of her life, Bill, of Claypool; their children: Sonia Cox, of Akron; Rod (Amy) Yates, of Etna Green; Billy (Shawna) Yates II, of Mentone; and Todd (Ann) Yates, of Mentone; grandchildren: Shelby, Keenan, Ethan, Taren (fiancé Landon) and Tyson; and four great-grandchildren.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Larry Swihart.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 2 from 2 to 5 p.m. at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw. Funeral services will follow at 5 p.m. in the chapel.
Memorial contributions can be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
