Donna Belle Yoder

Donna Belle Yoder, 100, of Goshen had her wishes fulfilled as she peacefully passed away in her room at Greencroft Healthcare, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 and met her Heavenly Father, Jesus, as a result of a fall on September 10 and shattering a leg bone.  The resulting pain was greater than her body could bear and she prayed that Jesus would ‘take her home and care for her’.  His WILL has been done, and she is pain free again.

Donna was born on April 25, 1919 to Seymour and Carjie (Strayer) Cripe in Goshen, where she lived all of her life.  She was a Charter Member of Brenneman Memorial M.B.C. (Brenneman Missionary Church) and was the only surviving Charter member at her death.

On February 17, 1940 she married Victor O. Yoder of Wakarusa to which she was married 36 years.  They had three children which all survive her: Keith (Virginia) Yoder of Mishawaka, Karl (Christine) Yoder of Bethany, Kentucky, and Beth (Richard) Kesler of Bristol.

Donna is also survived by 10 grandchildren; Mark (Angie) of Powhaton, Virginia, Kevin (Tori) of Granger, David (Angie) of Campton, Kentucky, Daniel of Ahmeek, Michigan, Angela Elliott of Stanton, Michigan, Rebecca Most of Alma, Michigan, and Susie Yoder of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Alyse Kesler of Ft. Wayne, Austin (Sarah) Kesler of Dunlap, and Ashlyn Kesler of Bristol; 23 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren; four nieces, Mary Ann (Cripe) Pletcher, Janet (Cripe) Miller, Judith (Cripe) Reed and Roberta (Strahm) Mustapha; and a nephew, Samuel Strahm.

She was preceded in death by eight siblings, Alfred, Henry and Robert Cripe, Gladys Cripe, Agnes Economos, Flossie Maloney, Ada Holdeman and Betta Lou Strahm.

Donna worked many years as a clerk at the Elkhart County Welfare Department in Goshen and Elkhart.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cooking, studying maps and homemaking.   Her fantastic memory allowed her to be the family historian and her memory of many ‘old-time sayings’ was the basis of much of her values and ethics of life along with the teachings of God’s Holy Bible which she read and listened to up until her fall and passing.  She ‘looked forward’ to ‘GOING HIGHER SOMEDAY’ to meet Jesus.  Too bad she could not do it in a hot air balloon, as a ride she took in her nephew’s balloon was a highlight of her life.

Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home and Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 from 12 noon until the 1 p.m. funeral service, also at the funeral home.  Rev. Harold Knight, Brenneman Memorial Missionary Church will officiate.

Burial will follow at West Goshen Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the church or Greencroft Foundation.