Submitted by: Dan Rich

Regena Belle Yeakey

June 22, 1914 - March 1, 2004

South Bend Tribune 3/4/2004

Regena Belle (Yoder) Yeakey, 89, of Washington Street, Wakarusa, Ind., formerly of Tremont Drive, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away at 4:25 p.m. Monday, March 1, in Miller's Merry Manor, Wakarusa. Regena was born in Mishawaka on June 22, 1914, to Virgil and Maude (Burkhart) Yoder.

Regena married her Mishawaka High School Class of 1993 sweetheart, Wilbur E. Yeakey, on Nov. 28, 1935. Regena leaves to cherish her memory children: two daughters, Mrs. Arletah (Raymond) Hochstetler of Elkhart, Ind., and Mrs. Charlene (Michael) DeNeve of Mishawaka; and two sons, Arthur Craig (Mary Ellen) Yeakey of Mishawaka and Virgil D. Yeakey of South Bend; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. (Robert) Frances Yeakey of Raleigh, Ind.; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Steve W. (Anna) Yeakey of Raleigh, children, Anne Claire and Joseph Ivan, Pamela A. Hochstetler of Elkhart, Ind.; and Regina L. (Donald) Davis of Louisburg, N.C., children, Craig Garrison, Brittany Davis, Amanda Davis; Paula S. LaPlace of Elkhart, children, Zacharie and Regena Marie; David S. (Kristine) Hochstetler of Elkhart, children, Brian and Aaron, Patricia J. Hochstetler of Elkhart, Christopher M. (Laura) Yeakey of Noblesville, Ind., children, Michael, Anna Marie, Jack and Claire, Kimberly M. (Robert) Sanders of South Bend, Ind., and son, Kendell; Mark A Yeakey of South Bend, daughter, Kayla; Dawn (Ina) Jarrett of Osceola, children, Delaney and Emma; Shawn M. (Chasity) DeNeve of Mishawaka, Charles E. Yeakey and Andrew Yeakey, both of Mishawaka. A sister, Joyce Ora Enyert of Phoenix, Ariz., and Englewood, Colo. Preceding Regena in death were her parents; her husband of 49 years, Wilbur "Bill" Yeakey on Sept. 3, 1984; grandson, Brian Edward Hochstetler, Jan. 3, 1962; and son, Robert Bruce Yeakey on June 11, 1996.

When her family was growing up near Mishawaka High School she filled her home with members of the football and basketball teams, especially the 1955 teams. She will be remembered for her many toasted cheese sandwiches and home-made tomato soup. Her home-made chocolate chip cookies are still remembered by former neighbors. She was a room mother for each of the children, and a member of the PTA Organization at Beiger School and Mishawaka High School. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church since childhood, and was a member of the MHS Alumni Association. She will be missed by many, but never forgotten.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today, March 4, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St., Mishawaka. Funeral services will be held at 11 .am. on Friday, March 5, in the funeral home, with Rev. Ron Bowman officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Regena may be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 E. Third St., Mishawaka, IN 46544.