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Yvette R. Yetter, “Sparkle, Petunia, Mouse, Squirt, #1 Pill, Moldy, and Angel”, these are some of the names given to her. Yvette’s earthly journey began on October 25, 1968 and turned heavenward on March 30, 2022. From her twisted little body, she loved and was loved for 53 years. She saw the world through the eyes of love.
Yvette wrote, “I believe God put me on earth with cerebral palsy for a reason. God doesn’t make junk.” And so she has left us with her music, her poetry, her love, her smiles and her encouragement.
Yvette’s mom, Gerry, shared that every day Yvette started with music, set on a timer. Gerry is so proud of her life, and her heart is broken. “Looking through the eyes of love, my hero, my sweet Yvette. Everyone and everything good in my life is because God gave her to me. Yvette gave me joy and I must remember she is only a breath away. She is free now and can sing, dance run, and be whole with Jesus and loved ones.
Her cousin, Cortney, stated that Yvette loved life even though bound to a wheelchair, never letting that stand in her way of living life to its fullest. She always had that smile on her face, ready to accept the next challenge. Her attitude was always “I can do that”, and she most certainly would. In her younger years, she would spend many weekends with Yvette, and they would lay in the sun, have water fights and cause some mischief together. She could always make others laugh and the memories of fun times together are cherished. Yvette had a way of connecting with people and finding a way into their hearts and she is so very thankful and blessed to have Yvette in her life,
Her friend, Paul, from England wrote “how wonderful and remarkable Yvette was, and he was sad that everyone in the world didn’t get to meet her. She meant the world to those who were blessed to meet her. She was such a good soul, full of love, concern, and care for all. There is a huge hole in the world and in many hearts upon her passing. Yvette truly lives on in our hearts and minds every day.”
Another friend, Michael Miller, wrote, “Yvette was a source of inspiration to me and my family for decades. She always greeted me with a smile and kisses and some verbal expression whenever we met, even in her final hours. I have never known a person so challenged by physical limitations and yet so full of life. Her patience and perseverance were inexhaustible and if she wanted to communicate a thought or task for me to do she didn’t give up until I understood what she wanted, even if that meant a string of emails, texts or phone calls by her or one of her assistants. She challenged me to be a better person just by knowing her. I would often try to imagine living in her world for just a moment and that humbled me constantly. Yvette’s love of music was initially what brought us together and I will always be grateful to Dalton Derr for helping to establish that connection. With nothing but a head pointer and computer, Yvette was able to record dozens of songs with elaborate orchestrations, note by note, measure by measure. Each song could take weeks or months to complete. That process alone would shy away the most accomplished musician and yet Yvette knew no time constraints. She also wrote poetry and stories and had a love for watching movies, soap operas and TV shows. One of my many tasks over the years was to make sure her favorite soaps were always being saved on a video or DVD recorder. If that device failed in some way, I would be notified promptly to get things back on schedule. Over the years I recorded music, meditations and stories for Yvette that would never have been done had she not asked for them and I was able to share those works with others. Through our visits, we would meditate together and transcend beyond her physical constraints to visualize worlds where she knew no limitations or boundaries. We created beautiful, magical realms where I know she now resides. There will never be another Yvette, “Petunia” and I am so blessed to have known her and her family. Thank you, Yvette, for sharing your amazing soul with me and you will remain an inspiration to me for the rest of my life. Till we meet again!”
She is survived by her mother, Gerry Stapleton of Mansfield; aunt, Carolyn Stapleton and her children, Cortney (Nick) Neutzling and their children, Kelsey Webb and Camille Neutzling, and Devon (Kerry) Stapleton and their children, Emily and Gabriel; cousin, Sam (Romona) Garzaniti; great aunt, Darlene Thompson; and many many friends, including Linda Williams, Dalton (Janeen) Derr, Michael (Deb) Miller and their family, Paul Davenport, Charity and Troy Bowling, Wayne Newton, Dan Dennis, Dan and Lori Bourcier, Tim Armstrong, Todd Pinyard, Sherrie Gadd, Charles Williams, Deb Ronk Jean Miser, Dr. Lordo her dentist, and Tom (Hilda) Roth.
Yvette was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jerry and Peg Stapleton; and uncle, Dan Stapleton.
A celebration of Yvette’s wonderful life will be held at a later date.
Werner Gompf Funeral Services, ltd, 1106 Park Ave. East, Mansfield, is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in care of the Renaissance Performing Arts, 138 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Ohio 44902 or online at www.rentickets.org/donate or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Yvette R. Yetter, please visit our floral store.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/
Renaissance Performing Arts
138 Park Avenue West, Mansfield OH 44902
Web: http://www.rentickets.org/donate