Melvin "Gene" Eugene Yates, age 86, of Revere, Missouri, passed away on December 24, 2023, surrounded by his family at 8:35 P.M. at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.

Gene was born near Ashton, Missouri, on June 20, 1937, the son of the late Harry M. "Breek" and Bertha Belle (James) Yates.

Gene married JoAnn (Gardner) on December 2, 1956, and to this union six children were born, they later divorced. He married his "beautiful blonde-haired jewel of a bride" Linda (Schmitz), on October 26, 1991, she survives.

Gene graduated from Granger Public School in 1955. At the age of fifty-one, in 1989, he obtained an associate's degree from Southeastern Community College in Keokuk, Iowa (Linda always thought it was fun dating a college boy). Gene worked various jobs in his younger years, his first job was mowing the Luray Park with an old-time push grass cutter. He used his money to buy bullets (which he dug out of his prey and reused the ammo over and over to sharpen his shooting skills). He was an excellent marksman. Gene later found his calling with Nig Meyers, who taught him the trades of heating and plumbing. After Nig's retirement Gene bought the company and renamed it Yates Plumbing and Heating. He often bragged about driving over two million miles during his time on the clock.

Gene was a founding member of the Care Roller-Rena in Kahoka and served as a Clark County Public Administrator for multiple years. He found enjoyment hunting and fishing, though his greatest and most valuable treasures were made spending quality time with his children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. Gene and Linda went on many adventurous trips over the years, having traveled to forty-nine out of the fifty states. On his eighty-sixth birthday he became a great-great grandfather for the tenth time.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-two years, Linda Yates, four children; Kenny (Kim) Yates of Revere, Kevin (Terrisa) Yates of Revere, Sheila Yates of Kahoka, and Pam (Terry) Broomhall of Keokuk, Iowa, one brother, Pete (Janice) Yates of Revere, one sister, Sandra (Donnie) Wagers of Osage Beach, Missouri, twelve grandchildren; Jennifer (Josh) Tipton, David (Nichole) Yates, Khela (Steve) Lovell, Camie (Josh) Davolt, Quintin Kite, Matthew (Brandy) Kelley, Dwaine (Jamee) Kelley, Christina (Mikele) Farmer, Trisha (Doug Morse) Worrell, Kelly (Anna) Yates, Jeremy (Liz) Broomhall, Eli (Kyla) Broomhall, one honorary granddaughter, Lakin Yates, fifty-five great grandchildren; Aspen (Emily), Samantha, Desiree (Alexander), Hunter, Payton, Olivia, Elijah, Nolan, Corinna, Ziggy, Ryder, Randy, Henry, Conrad, Augustis, Emily, James, Ollice, Kaleb, Olivia, Wyatt, Austin, Ben, Christian, Dawson, Ethan (Ceairra), Brooklynn, Will, Afton, Kaleb, Joey, Lucas, Brayden, Landen, Jamisen, Alex (Sara), Cameron, Keegan, Kimberlin, CJ, Wyatt, Morgan, Remington, Ryleigh, Raelynn, Dalton, Caydance, Jaxson, Chole, Felicity, Thea, Jastin, Rory, Delilah, Lorna, ten great-great grandchildren; Kade, Lilliann, Josie, Ruger, Noah, Braxton, Tanner, Koa, Emmerly, and Evelyn, his father-in-law, James Schmitz of LaBelle, Missouri, three brothers-in-law; Jim (Ilene Rubin) Schmitz of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, David (Donna) Schmitz of Wyaconda, Tim Schmitz of Addison, Texas, two sisters-in-law; Deb (Dan) Beeler of Warsaw, Illinois, and Kay Gates.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one son, Randy Yates, one daughter, Gina Yates, one step-son, Matthew Wilson, three brothers; Elmer, Bill, Robert "Uncle Bob", one sister, Suzie Hopp, one grandson, Randy Yates, one great great-granddaughter, Rubee Gene Justice and one sister-in-law, Toni Schmitz.

A private graveside service was held Saturday, December 30th.

Following the service there was a Celebration of Life at Gene and Linda Yates Family Farm from 2 - 6P.M. all friends and family were invited to attend.

Memorials in Gene's name are suggested to the Clark County Local Cancer Fund or Industrial Opportunities in Kahoka, Missouri.