Lester A. Yoder

Lester A. Yoder, 99, of Goshen passed away Wednesday evening, January 14, 2015 at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen, where he had resided since 2003. He was born August 1, 1915 in a sod house on an Indian reservation in Thomas, Oklahoma, to Amos E. and Sarah (Schrock) Yoder. On February 14, 1937 he married Mary Leah Schmucker in Nappanee. They were married for 65 years before her death in July 2002. He is survived by his children, Romayne Yoder and Miriam Wengerd, both of Goshen, Esther (David) Kern of London, Ontario, Devon (Linda) Yoder of Purvis, Mississippi, Pauline Yoder of Goshen, and Harold (Eileen) Yoder of Millersburg; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and a brother, Raymond A. (Wilma) Yoder of Goshen. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a grandson, Todd Yoder; daughter-in-law, Nancy Yoder; son-in-law, Lewis Wengerd; three brothers, Rev. Clarence Yoder, Harry and Perry Yoder; a sister, Edna Mae Hochstetler; an adopted sister, Edna Ellen Bontrager; and two infant sisters. An area resident since 1920, "Lester Butch" worked at Kropf Manufacturing Inc. for 40 years before retiring in 1989. He also worked as a farmer, carpenter and butcher. He was a charter member of Woodlawn Amish Mennonite Church where he helped to found and build the church in 1959. Lester continued to do maintenance and janitorial work at the church until his retirement. Lester was a faithful volunteer with Mennonite Disaster Service; Faith Mission, Elkhart; Hope Rescue Mission of South Bend and Battle Creek, Mich.; and with the Gospel Echoes and Gospel Express Prison Ministries, renovating passenger buses in to living quarters for both. He was an avid traveler, visiting all the continental states except for California. In his 80's he served in Russia and Cuba on humanitarian aid trips. The family would like to give special thanks to all of his Greencroft Healthcare family that loved and cared for him since May of 2003. Friends may call Friday, January 16, 2015 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Greencroft Healthcare Meeting House, and Saturday, January 17, 2015 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Woodlawn Church, 62861 C.R. 41, Goshen. A 2 p.m. Sunday, January 18, 2015 funeral service will be held at Woodlawn Amish Mennonite Church. Dean Miller and the home ministry will officiate. Burial will follow at Miller Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be directed to Gospel Express Prison Ministry, Lynn, N.C. or Gospel Echoes Prison Ministry, Goshen.