Union Grove – James Charles Yates, age 84, was born November 24, 1932 in Racine, Wisconsin and passed away on March 17, 2017 at Union Grove Veterans Home – Gates Hall. He was united in marriage for 61 years to Geraldine VanSwol on November 12, 1955. He worked many years for Morrow and Reesman Trucking and Town of Yorkville. He was the owner of James Yates and Son Trucking. He was a charter member of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church.

Jim is survived by his wife, Geraldine; daughter, Barbara (Tom) Rinke; son, Mark (Debbie) Yates, son-in-law, Steve Distad; grandchildren, Shane Hubeler, Shylia Hubeler, Rachel (Jake) Shumann, Megan Rinke; step-grandchildren, Sheila (John) Hogenson, Nicole Nietfeldt, and Shannon Schuppner; four great-grandchildren; and two step-sisters. He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Judy Van Swol, Conrad (Brenda) Van Swol, Henry (Joan) Van Swol, Dorothy Ellis (Dennis Poisl), Harold Van Swol, Marilyn McGovern, Jean Van Swol, and John (Sharon) Van Swol; special cousin, Lewis Monty; and Godchild, Todd Monty.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Hermena and Ray DeCoudres; father, James Yates; son, Dale Yates; daughter, Sharon Yates-Distad; sister, Charlotte Brown; step-sister, Barbara Towers; mother and father-in-law; brothers and sisters-in-law; and nieces.

Services will be officiated by Pastor David Echelbarger at Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church on Thursday, March 23 at 11 am with viewing before services from 9:30 am to 11 am. Full military honors will follow at the VA Cemetery in Union Grove at 3 pm.

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Union Grove Veterans Home for their kind and compassionate care of Jim.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the family would be appreciated.