Michael T. Yates

Michael T. Yates, 69, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2018 after a long battle with Glioblastoma at St. Anne’s Home in Fort Wayne. Born on April 5, 1948, Mike was the son of the late Thomas O. Yates, mother Jean (Kelley) Boyer and stepfather Jerry Boyer, both of Bloomfield.

Mike is a 1966 graduate of Bloomfield High School. He lettered in track and cross country and was a member of the National Honor Society. While in Bloomfield, he attended the First Baptist Church.

Raised in Indianapolis, Altus, Okla. and Bloomfield, Mike received his undergraduate law degree (1973) from Indiana University, Bloomington. He was recognized as a Resident Scholar during his tie at Indiana University. After graduating law school, Mike moved back to Fort Wayne and served as a law clerk for the first year. He then established a family law practice for over 40 years, receiving multiple awards from the American Institute of Family Law.

Family was Mike’s greatest passion. Hew as married to his wife, Susan, for 40 years. They had two sons, Patrick and Daniel. Both sons graduated from Indiana University like their father. Patrick played soccer for Indiana University and MIke never missed a game. Daniel followed in his father’s footsteps and is a practicing attorney now in St. Paul, Minn.

Over the past 40 years, Mike participated in the Downtown Sertoma Club, Toastmaster International and was a founding member of the Network Businessmen’s Club. Mike’s intellectual depth covered a wide range of subjects and hobbies. he had a strong love for music of any kind, as well as the latest wireless gadgets on the market. Mike was an avid runner and ran his first marathon at the age of 60.

Mike was loved and respected by all. A sweet man who never shared a bad word about anyone and will forever be remembered for being the eternal optimist.

Surviving are his wife, Susan (Adang) Yates; sons, Patrick (Kelly) Yates of Fort Wayne and Daniel (Tammy) Yates, of St. Paul, Minn.; grandchildren Cecilia and Johnny Yates of Fort Wayne; mother and stepfather Jean and Jerry Boyer of Bloomfield; father-in-law LeRoy Adang of Fort Wayne; stepmother Theresa Yates of Wayzata, Minn.; Sister and niece Barbara and Cameron Yates of Roseville, Minn.; brother, Robert Boyer of Bloomfield; and stepsister, Gwen Regan of California.

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, located at 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne. A Catholic Mass and Burial service will be on Saturday, April 14 at Saint Charles Borromeo Church, located at Trier Road, Fort Wayne. Mass time will be 11 a.m. Saturday with calling one hour prior to service.

Preferred memorials are Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46814.