Richard John Yeaton
April 27, 1934 ~ August 20, 2020
Richard J. Yeaton, 86, of Columbus, passed away August 20, 2020, at St. Franciscan Health after a brief illness.
Richard was born April 27, 1934, in Lynn, Massachusetts. He graduated from Lynn English High School in 1951, and went on to graduate from Cincinnati Bible Seminary in 1955.
Richard is survived by his wife of 35 years, Connie; sons, R. Thomas (Tammy) Yeaton of St. Louis, Missouri, Douglas M. Yeaton of Georgetown, Indiana, and Mark A. (Sherry) Yeaton and Stephen A. (Cindy) Yeaton, both of Columbus; stepson, Bert (Tina) Garriott of Seymour; along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. His ministry began in 1960 as an associate minister with First Christian Church, Columbus, Indiana. He served ministries in Carmel, Wanamaker, Mooresville, Ogilville, Burnsville, and Edinburgh, Indiana from 1968 to his retirement in 1999. He was a Mason, belonging to St. Johns Lodge #20 in Columbus.
Mr. Yeaton served as a chaplain with the Carmel Police and Fire Departments and Columbus Fire Department for many years and was a colonel (chaplain) with the Indiana Guard Reserve retiring in 2009.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Edith Yeaton; brothers, E. Bruce Yeaton, Ronald A. (Margaret) Yeaton and sisters, Irma (Henry) Yelverton, Lois (Bert) McDonald, Ruth (Elmer) Gillette; several nieces and nephews; and a grandson.
Due to the pandemic, a private family service will be held at Garland Brook Cemetery on Monday, August 24, 2020, with military honors presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, in memory of Richard.
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The PTG Silicones Family purchased the Beautiful in Blue for the family of Richard John Yeaton.
Connie sorry about ur loss. I will miss talking and seeing both of u at Bob Evans. I will have no one to get after me about my age like Dick and I did. I always enjoyed talking with him. I guess I am the oldest one left but I accused him of being older than me but I am really the oldest. I always enjoyed hearing Dick speak. He had a great voice and very knowledgeable of the Bible. I will be praying for u and the family. Take care.
Such sad news. Dick made this crazy planet a better place to be. His light will be missed here on earth. But he’s claiming his mansion in Heaven now. We will see him again.
Our prayers are with Connie and the family. We rejoice that Richard, a man that devoted his life to shepherding others is now at home with Jesus.
Richard was a wonderful man and mentor. He has left a great heritage. We are so grateful for the special place he will always have in our hearts.
Love and prayers.
Justin and Jenny Devening
I am proud to say that Reverend Dick Yeaton brought Christ into my life. I was at his last service in Edinburgh and I do believe he changed my life that day. I was honored to have him as Chaplain of CFD and also to call him my friend. I will miss him greatly. Sending my prayers to Connie and the rest of Dick’s family.
Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Richard John Yeaton.
I first met Dick while at CFD. I felt we hit it off right away as the topics of faith and music came up. We saw much more of each other as I became a part of the Emmaus Community. So many powerful memories and just fun times that were largely due to Dick’s presence. As I have known some of the family and I combine those experiences with memories of Dick, I can sum up his character with five words. Man after God’s own heart. Will see you again, young man.
Just a few words to let you know that I am thinking of you. So glad that you two had a lot of years together. You have my sympathy.
Pete Orlich
Connie, Mark, and Kendall, I am so sorry for this tremendous loss. I never knew Mr. Yeaton, but I had the pleasure of getting to know several of his family members. I met his lovely wife as my CLASS Coach many years ago while I was teaching. She was and is a kind and loving soul. I also worked with Mark at Southside Elementary, and had Kendall, his son, as a fifth grader. More wonderful people (Sherry, too!). I’ve attended church with Tina for over 25 years. This many fabulous people in one family suggests it had a godly, loving, and king patriarch. I pray that your memories and faith will bring you all comfort as you mourn.
We didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Dick until we became linked in his family, but he always had a quick wit and loving concern for all his family. Our prayers are for all as they deal with his leaving us behind. Jay and Roberta Ingram
God sends certain people into our lives, and those people make a positive change in us. My family is so blessed because we got to spend time with Dick and Connie (and the rest of the people at Calvary Christian Church). Dick always had a smile, and was determined to share it with everyone. He was a dedicated witness for the Lord, and seemed to tirelessly strive to serve the needs of others. He was an awesome mentor to all of us. My two sons were fortunate enough to get a personal tour of Camp Atterbury by Col. Yeaton ~ can’t top that.
Thank you to the Yeaton family for sharing him with us.
Blessings of peace and comfort to you all.
Thank you to God for letting our paths cross.
I know that he’s dancing in Heaven and his knees don’t hurt!
Chuck, Lyn, Grant and Jacob Roberts
On behalf of the Edinburgh Ministerial Association we send our sympathy to Connie and family for the loss of a wonderful man. He was a member of EMA for many years and a man of God that will be missed sorely. Also prayers for Calvary Christian Church and their members for this huge loss. We send our prayers.
Edinburgh Ministerial Association,
Nancy West
So sorry for your loss. My daughter had Mark Yeaton in class at Southside a few years ago.
It was my privilege and honor to know Dick, and to provide computer support many times over the years. Dick was one of those clients that I really had trouble charging for my services, because I always felt like I got more out of the visit than he did. A wonderful and inspiring man. God bless the Yeaton family.
Lit a candle in memory of Richard John Yeaton
Our love and deepest condolences to Steve and Cindy and family .
Lit a candle in memory of Richard John Yeaton
Sending our condolences to Steve & family. May you have comfort in memories of your father.
Connie,
I am sorry to learn of the passing of your husband. Just want you to know you are in my thoughts.
Beth Smith
I am on a Pastoral Search team for our church and one of our questions for candidate, Jimmy Coyle, was this:
Tell us about someone, outside of family, who had a significant influence on your spiritual growth?
“Rev. Richard Yeaton was the minister I did my internship with. He guided me in how to handle difficult people in the ministry. He encouraged me as a minister to find avenues to grow in my ministry and faith. He walked me through ways to find balance in ministry, life and family. Even years after I was not under his tutelage I could still reach out for guidance”.
So I decided to follow up on this influencer, Richard Yeats, and now, to let you know that his influence is still multiplying over the years.
Don Hochmuth, Elder Chairman, Roxbury Church, Janesville WI
The Best!