John David Yoder

John D. Yoder, 89, of Goshen and Avon Park, Florida, died Thursday morning, May 4, 2017 in Sebring, Florida.

He was born December 22, 1927 in New Paris to Jonas S. and Delilah (Burkholder) Yoder.

On March 26, 1950 he married Elizabeth J. “Betty Jo” Hostetter.  She died June 6, 1989.  He later married Martha (Spidel) Sample May 3, 1992.  She survives.

John is survived by his children, Timothy T. (Marisa) Yoder of Goshen, Margaret Fultz of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania and Robin G. (Luann) Yoder of Goshen; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Esther Ritenour of Sebring, Florida and brother-in-law, Willis Kohli of Goshen.  He is also survived by his wife Martha’s children, Barbara Dawson of Nappanee, Brenda (David) Brunk of Martinez, Georgia, Greg Sample of Fort Myers, Florida and G. Joe (Connie) Sample of Goshen; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents and first wife Betty, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Milo, Harvey, Levi, Frank and Carl Yoder; and three sisters, Mary Ann Goppert, Lydia Mae Bowman and Dorothy Kohli.

A lifelong area resident, John began work as a funeral director in 1950 with Culp Funeral Home. In 1954, along with his brother Milo, he built and started Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.

He was invited into Goshen Rotary in 1961, serving as president from 1966-67.  He was a member of Goshen City Church of the Brethren and attended St. John Methodist Church in Sebring, during the winters.

A charter member of Maplecrest Country Club, John was an avid golfer, playing his last round days prior to his hospitalization.

Friends may call Wednesday, May 10, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, where a 10 a.m. Thursday funeral will be conducted.

Burial will follow in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to the Rotary Foundation or Goshen Boys and Girls Club.