Charles Keene YarbroughCharles Keene Yarbrough, of Winona Lake, celebrated the new year in Heaven. He passed away at 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2022, at Hospice of Lansing Stoneleigh Residence in Lansing, Mich., at the age of 68.
He was born on June 4, 1953, in Schenectady, N.Y., to Mavis Jean Chambers Luke and Kenneth Frazier Yarbrough. He was married on May 25, 1990, to Catherine Douglas. Though it ended in divorce, they always shared the love of their three children.
Charles was always a very intelligent man, after high school he continued on with his education. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y., and earned his Master in Business Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was always a hard worker and over the years had worked at various companies. He worked for GE from 1977-1997, Precision Castparts/Wyman Gordan from 1977-2002, Yarbrough Consulting from 2002-2004, Metallurg from 2004-2009. Most recently he was the Director of Global Sourcing at Zimmer Biomet in Warsaw for seven years from 2011 until he retired in 2018. Charles loved his job and especially being able to mentor people at work as well as outside of work. He never lost his thirst for knowledge, and he never stopped learning. Throughout his life he had lived in New York, France, Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Massachusetts, England, Colorado, Indiana and lastly Michigan.
Charles enjoyed drinking great wine, golfing, fishing, watching the Patriots, traveling and making friends. He always loved and enjoyed spending time with his friends especially the many friends he made at Warsaw Community Church. Faith was always central in his life and his love for his Lord made him the man he was. His gift from God was being able to see the bright side of everything and he was always optimistic, and more of God’s gifts was for Charles to have and enjoy love, joy and peace. More than anything in this world, family meant everything to him. His children were his priority, always making time for their needs and making himself readily available. “Our dad had a great affinity for people. He loved making new friends and talked to anyone who would listen. He had a way of making fast friends that turned into long relationships. Our dad allowed us the opportunity to travel, live abroad and gain many opportunities that would not have been otherwise possible without his hard work ethic. His passion for life, making memories, and great food and wine has inspired much of our adult lives and will continue to stick with us.” Charles was one of a kind and will forever be dearly missed by his family.
He will be lovingly remembered by his son: Andrew (Bailey) Yarbrough, Denver, Colo.; two daughters: Catherine (Cameron) Shively, Lansing, Mich.; Madison Yarbrough, Detroit, Mich.; brother, David (Nelia) Yarbrough, Corpus Christi, Texas; and his sister, Jill (David) Baulieu, Charlotte, N.C. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his older brother, Lee Yarbrough, in 2006.
Charles’ life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23 at Warsaw Community Church, 1855 S. County Farm Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Denny Wilson and Pastor Jeff Pfeifer. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
