Frank & Bright Funeral Home
David Yates
Feb 2nd, 1947 - Mar 17th, 2024David Royce Yates, 77, of Salem, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 1:45 a.m. at Helia Healthcare of Salem. A memorial ceremony will be held at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, with interment to follow at Bunker Cemetery, Rinard, with military funeral honors presented. A memorial visitation will be held from 12 noon until 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, at the funeral home.
David was born in Flora on February 2, 1947, to Roy and Opaline (Schroeder) Yates. He married Elizabeth C. Anschutz in Alton on August 5, 1989, and they were divorced in 2019. Survivors include his son, Royce Anschutz Yates (Kirsten Slininger) of Salem; and brother, Richard (Dianne) Yates; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He graduated Flora High School in 1965 and attended Vanderbilt University obtaining a Bachelor’s in English. While in college, he joined Army ROTC enlisting upon graduation and subsequently entering Officer’s Candidate School. He served stateside as an administrative Second Lieutenant during the Vietnam conflict earning a commendation and an honorable discharge.
David enjoyed playing and listening to music throughout his life. In grade school, he performed at many military services as a bugler, and was a member of school and community bands, playing the coronet. Owning and listening to classical music LPs was a favorite pastime—trading, finding, bartering, and collecting them was his obsession. Being raised by “greatest generation” parents, frugality was a lifestyle for David and getting deals on those LPs and the sound equipment was a point of pride for him. He particularly enjoyed baroque composers such as Bach and Handel.
David was a union plumber/pipefitter (Local #653)—often jokingly referred to as “working for the man.” He was a lifelong member of Flora Elks Lodge #1659, and a proud dues-paying member of Mensa. David loved and cared for his family, particularly his son, Royce. He enjoyed many friendships, loved to fish, and travelled at every opportunity. Even in the last year or so, he went to Kentucky Lake, Reelfoot Lake, New Orleans, and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
David’s favorite charities include the American Red Cross, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Doctors Without Borders, and memorial donations in his memory are suggested to any of these and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com