Samuel L. Yoder

Samuel L. Yoder, 92, of Goshen, died at his home early Sunday morning, December 23, 2012. He had been ill the past three weeks. He was born January 14, 1920 in Yoder, Kansas, to Levi M. and Gertrude (Yoder) Yoder. He married Lillian Zook June 15, 1951 in Orville, Ohio. She survives along with a son, John S. (Queen) Yoder of Elkhart; three brothers, Alvin Yoder of Middlebury, B. William Yoder of Goshen and Lee (Pensri) Yoder of Thailand; and three sisters, Sara Miller and Mary (Alvin) Miller, both of Goshen and Gertie (Orvill) Christner of Wolcottville. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Lee Yoder in 1986 and three sisters, Anna Troyer, Edna Troyer and Polly Mast. A Goshen resident since 1961, Mr. Yoder taught education and psychology at Goshen College from 1961 to 1985 and served as director of the teacher education department for 19 years. He was a member of College Mennonite Church, Goshen. He served four years, 1941-44, with Civilian Public Service and then went to Europe with MCC from 1944-46 to help build homes and work in refugee resettlement. He entered college without a high school diploma, graduating from Goshen College in 1952. He went on to earn a master's degree from Western Michigan University and a EdD in Education in 1967 from Indiana University. After retirement he taught Elderhostels at Epworth Forest, North Webster, on the subject of Amish life and culture. He was in two documentaries, "Beyond the Buggy" and "The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight it". Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 26, 2012, in the Koinonia Room at College Mennonite Church. Family and friends will gather for a 9:30 a.m., Thursday, December 27, 2012, prayer service in the Koinonia Room with burial to follow at Violett Cemetery. An 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 27, 2012, memorial service will be conducted at College Mennonite Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greencroft Foundation or Goshen College.