YOTTI, Christopher - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

  Christopher Todd Yotti, ten years old, died February 20, at his home in Canton, Michigan. He was the son of Fredrick and Cindy Yotti and the great nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Keeling of Kingman.

  He is survived by a brother, Matthew, nine years old, who has shared a common struggle against a neuromuscular disease called spinal muscular atrophy which results in the lack of muscular development, weakness and loss of muscular ability.

  The boys shared a two-year honor, serving as the southeastern Michigan Muscular Dystrophy poster children for 1977 and 1978. Both parents are active in the southeastern Michigan MDA with their father currently serving as president. The boys had an opportunity to meet many people including celebrities Jerry Lewis and Lloyd Bridges. But the disease had kept Chris homebound for the past one and one half years.

  Chris was a voracious reader, having taught himself to read by age two and one half years. He was an articulate speaker and known as an expert in his school system on dinosaurs.

  The principal of McGrath School said, “He was an inspiration to all of us. He gave so much more than he ever received. He had a great sense of humor, an unbelievable amount of patience and never complained—not even once. He was at least three or four years ahead of his sixth grade class.”

  Christopher’s eyes were donated to the eye bank, per his request.

  In addition to his parents and brother, Chris is surviving by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Yotti of Trenton, Michigan and Dr. and Mrs. Rolland Keeling of Houghton, Michigan. – thanks to S