Ruth Darlene Yates

August 25, 1935 - December 9, 2021

Ruth Darlene Yates, 86, of Napoleon, Ohio passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021. She was born August 25, 1935, in Napoleon, Ohio to Jacob and Anna (Weirauch) Willeman. Ruth married John Henry Yates at Emanuel Lutheran Church on April 27, 1957. Ruth loved to be surrounded by her family and enjoyed every opportunity to make their family time special. She enjoyed watching her grandkids activities and cheering on the Napoleon Wildcats. Her favorite season was Christmas and she enjoyed having big family Christmas parties. Ruth liked watching her shows and taking daily rides with John to get ice cream. She is survived by loving husband of 64 years, John; children, Nedra (Terry) Hall, Polly Kistner, Paula (Earl) Caldwell, Roseanna (Phillip) Caldwell, and Kevin (Melissa) Yates; grandchildren, JoAnn (Mark) Ritter, Emily (Derek) Lantz, Stacie (Pete) Maas, Bethany (Zach) Heitman, Brent (Katlyn Goble) Kistner, Katherine (Chris) Moore, Amy (Dennis) Beaver, Angel Caldwell, Mason Caldwell, Alexis Yates, Nicholas Yates, and Brennen Yates; 25 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren and her sister, Gladys Riebesel. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Grant “Pete” Willeman, William Willeman, and Robert Willeman. Friends and family will be received at the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, from 11:00 AM until the time of services at 1:00 PM. A private interment will take place at Hoy Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Henry County Humane Society. Online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com.