Yates, Howard R.

Howard R. Yates, 89, a resident of Rock Ridge Care Center in Shellsburg, formerly of Palo, died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, from a lengthy illness. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Palo United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Howerton officiating. Interment will be held at the Palo Cemetery. Visitation also will be held at the church fellowship hall in Palo from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday where a Masonic Memorial Service conducted by Benton City Lodge No. 81 A.F. & A.M. will be held at 8 p.m., open to the public.

Howard was born Dec. 2, 1922, at home in rural Linn County to Guy G. and Louise (Kocher) Yates. He graduated from Palo High School in 1941. On June 6, 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, Naomi M. Little, at Trinity Methodist Church Parsonage in Cedar Rapids.

He farmed his entire life except for the time he spent in the United States Navy during World War II. He served from Feb. 22, 1943 through April 6, 1946, and was honorably discharged as Baker 3rd Class. On his return to the states, he went back to farming in Benton and Linn counties. He was a very progressive farmer and in 1953 with the assistance of the government he developed a conservation plan for his farm. He was an early adopter of contour farming and quickly embraced minimum tillage practices. Howard loved farming and stayed involved in one way or another all his life.

Howard was a man involved in his community. He served on the Palo School Board and was an active member of the Palo Methodist Church. His great, great-grandfather, Pliny Yates, was one of the founders. Howard was past master of Benton City Lodge No. 81, A.F. & A.M. and a 50 year plus member, a past worthy patron of the former White Lily Chapter No. 427 of OES, past watchman of Shepherds of Gethsemane Shrine, a member of El Kahir Shrine Cedar Rapids, Past Masters Unit and Mobile Nobles of Arizona and a member of Scottish Rite & Consistory of Cedar Rapids. He was a member of the American Legion Post #679 of Palo and a former member of the Linn County Pork Producers.

He and his wife, Naomi, spent 17 winters in Mesa and Apache Junction, Ariz., before their health required them to stay home. Their last winter was 2004-2005. Howard and Naomi celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a family dinner in June 2012.

Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Naomi of Palo; his daughter and husband, Ruth and J. Edward Kibbie and his son and wife, Dale and Ellen Yates, all of Palo; his grandson and family, Eddie, Janet, Shelby and Augusta Kibbie whom shared his home for more than 23 years; his granddaughter, Juliana and husband Dan Reisner of Traer; Dale's children, and their families, Steve and Carol of Virginia, Jon and Sunee of Cedar Rapids, James and Cindy of Washington, Christina and Louie Reedy of Cedar Rapids and Aaron Yates of Cedar Rapids; 16 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great grandchildren.

He is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, George and Frankie Little, Esther Little, Lawson Little and Linda Tilbury; and many nieces and nephews.

Howard was preceded in death by his mother, Louise in 1975; by his father, Guy in 1996; his stepmother, Leona Linder Yates in 2006; his brother, Dr. Forest Clyde Yates in 1980; and his sister, Hazeldel Wiley in 1994.

Memorials may be made to the Palo United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.

The family extends a very special thank you to the staff at Rock Ridge Care Center and Hospice of Mercy for their compassionate care.

Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left at: .

Published in The Gazette Nov. 28, 2012.