John Yates Jr., 48, of Crawfordsville passed away peacefully on Aug. 13, 2026, at home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born May 9, 1978, to John and Mary (Hohner) in Hinsdale, Illinois. John married Nikki Leaming on June 7, 2013, in Nauvoo, Illinois.
He was a 1996 graduate of Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois. John attended courses at Lawrence University and transferred to the University of Washington. He valued education and continued to learn throughout his life. John was a member of the Masonic Lodge 50 and Scottish Rite, formerly serving as the chaplin at the Crawfordsville Lodge. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Crawfordsville. John also volunteered with a cyber security and censorship group.
In his younger years, he enjoyed playing chess and recently started teaching the game to his daughters. John will be best remembered for his thirst for knowledge, especially learning mathematics and quantum physics.
John will be missed by his wife, Nikki; three children, John III, Eva and LilyVi Yates; twin sister, Rebecca Yates; and younger siblings, Ben (Jennifer) Yates and Johanna Yates. He is also survived by his father, John Yates Sr.; mother Mary Kooi; step-mothers, Marge Tomasik and ShiHui Yates; and extended family.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 in Mace Community Cemetery. A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date at the Masonic Lodge.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Masonic Lodge #50, 221 S. Washington St., Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
Share memories and condolences at www.SandersFuneralCare.com.
