Rock Island resident and Van Buren County native “Rowdy” Merle Eugene Yates, 70, was born May 13, 1941 and died Dec. 6 at River Park Hospital following a five-month illness.A mechanic and member of the Church of Christ, he was the son of the late James Lee and Wilma Olene Templeton Yates.He was married July 4, 1970 to Charlotte Taylor Yates of Rock Island. In addition to his wife, he is survived by seven children and their spouses, Lisa Mooneyham of Spencer, Duane Yates, Tony and Paula Hillis and Tammy Lance, all of Rock Island, Lori and Joe Pancake of Murfreesboro, Leslie and Ricky Jones of Fairview, and Terrenia and Gary Ashburn of McMinnville; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Shirley Yates of Rock Island, and nephews and their spouses, Paul and Melissa Yates, and Ricky and Nikki Yates, all of Rock Island, and Michael and Shane Yates of Hawaii.Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today in High’s Chapel with Tim Fariss and Anthony Templeton officiating. Burial will follow at Mt.