Catherine Hondros Yeapanis, 97, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Mrs. Yeapanis was born in Mikro Horio, Evrytania, Greece, and immigrated to the
United States in 1952. She lived in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, before eventually
settling in Newport News, Virginia. Alongside her husband Mike, whom she married in
1958, she became a well-known and highly respected restaurateur in the Newport News
community. Their Central Restaurant, originally located on Washington Avenue from
1951 to 1986, served countless individuals working in the Newport News Shipyard, as
well as those in the city’s judicial and financial districts. Catherine and Mike later
continued operating the relocated Central Restaurant in Oyster Point until their
retirement in 1994.
A devoted member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport
News, Catherine was honored as Steward of the Year. She was also a past president
and distinguished member of the church’s Ladies Philoptochos Society, the Ladies
Penelope Society, and the Daughters of Penelope. Catherine played an active
leadership role in the Newport News Greek Festival for many years, where she was
especially known for preparing baklava and managing the merchandise booths.
Catherine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mike C. Yeapanis, and her
brother, George Hondros. She is survived by her daughter, Demetra Yeapanis Kontos,
and her son-in-law, Dr. Christopher D. Kontos; her grandsons, Michael Hermes Kontos
and his wife, Dr. Christina Cesarz, of Denver, Colorado, and Alexander Apostolos
Kontos and his wife, Dr. Caitlin Grant, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and her sisters,
Chrysoula H. Fotopoulos and Koula H. Massostasis of Athens, Greece.
The family will receive friends from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek
Orthodox Church on Sunday, April 26. A Trisagion prayer service will follow at 4:00 p.m.
at the church, 60 Traverse Road, Newport News. The funeral service will be held on
Monday, April 27, at 11:30 a.m., also at the church, with burial to follow at Peninsula
Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen
Greek Orthodox Church, or to a charity of your choice.
]Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd.,
Newport News, Virginia 23601.