Eugene Yonts

ELKHART — Eugene “Ray” Yonts, 73, of Elkhart, passed away at his home in the early evening of Friday, April 20, 2018.

Ray was born Aug. 10, 1944, in Warsaw, to the late Herbert and Myrtle (Sheppard) Yonts and married Janice Eileen Leist on May 27, 1966, in Elkhart.

He proudly served for eight years in the Marine Corps Reserve.

He worked for 20 years as a painter, welder and bodywork technician for Henkels and McCoy in Elkhart. Thereafter, he suffered a heart attack that left him disabled for the next 37 years.

Ray was very strong in dealing with his illness and far outlived his doctor’s expectations.

He was a member of Teamsters 364 in South Bend and of the DAV Chapter 19 in Elkhart.

He and his wife lived in Florida for seven years. While there, he was a member of the Cape Coral Optimist’s Club and a board member of the local Junior Tennis Club.

He enjoyed fishing, golfing and loved music.

He loved spending time with his family and was known fondly by his children as Eugene The Machine.

He was witty, kind and always willing to help someone if he could.

He was his wife’s best friend for 52 loving years. She often told him she always loved him – she always will.

He is survived by his wife, Janice Yonts of Elkhart; sons Steven Yonts of Elkhart and Ryan Yonts of Mishawaka; brother Dwayne (Karmin) Yonts of Goshen; sister Deanna Lewis of Fort Myers, Florida; several neices and nephews; and his faithful dog of nine years, Gizmo.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Anita Woodward; and his dog, Sumo.

As per his wishes, no services are planned. Donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Humane Society of Elkhart County.

Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eugene Yonts, please visit our floral store.