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YARDLEY, JOHN DAVID, age 69, of Mt. Pleasant passed away Saturday, February 27, 2016, at McLaren Central Michigan. He was born February 26, 1947, in Detroit to Chester and Rhea (Gibbons) Yardley. He married Mary Lu Fleming March 27, 2004, in Mt. Pleasant.

John attended Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, MI where he excelled in every sport, but his favorite was football. He graduated from Ferris State University with a BS and from Central Michigan University with an MBA. John’s career covered many years of marketing and building business relationships in transportation and propane industries, and at one time he owned four pizzerias in the Raleigh, NC area.

Family was his life and spending time with his children and grandchildren was the foundation he built his life on. His joy of life was witnessed by everyone who knew him. Always ready with a smile, handshake and a hug. He loved to travel and his favorite place was Ko Olino, Hawaii. He also loved fishing and playing sports with the grandchildren, attending their events, and talking sports, sports, sports! He was very loyal to his CMU Chippewas, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Lu Yardley; son Jeffrey (Allie) Yardley, Raleigh, NC, son Jason (Michelle) Yardley, Fuquay Varina, NC, step-son Joe (Judy) Fleming, step-son Jason (Tracy) Fleming; grandchidren, Chet, Hank, Will, Elizabeth, and Mary Jessica Yardley of Raleigh, NC, Nathan and Evan Yardley of Fuquay Varina, NC, Jack, Matthew, and Lucy Fleming of Mt. Pleasant, MI, and Sean and Nicholas Fleming, East Lansing, MI; sisters Ruth (Mitch) Wieczorek, Lakewood, NJ, and Gail Manning, Clinton Township, MI. John was preceded in death by his parents and sister Sally and brother-in-law Roland Dixon.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant on Thursday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Don Henkes and Deacon Larry Fussman officiating. Visitation will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel in Mt. Pleasant on Wednesday, March 2, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A Prayer Service will be held on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant on Thursday, March 3, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Rite of Committal will follow in Riverside Cemetery. After graveside services, a Celebration of John’s life will follow at Hunter’s Ale House.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation, Central Michigan University Athletics or Sacred Heart Athletic Fund. Envelopes will be available at Clark Family Funeral Chapel and Sacred Heart Church.

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