Herbert Lee Yoder was born June 8, 1929, in West Liberty, Ohio, the son of D. Leonard and Mollie (Kauffman) Yoder. Herb graduated from Goshen College with his B.A., attended seminary in Elkhart, Ind., and graduate study at Indiana University.
On Dec. 31, 1948, Herb was united in marriage to Dorothy Beason. Dorothy joined Herb in his ministry beginning at Wawasee Lakeside Chapel, Syracuse, Ind., where Herb was ordained. Herb and family enjoyed extended ministry service at Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church, Pigeon, Mich.; Bellwood Mennonite, Milford, Neb.; Manson Mennonite, Manson Iowa; and Washington Mennonite, Washington, Iowa. On this ministry journey, Herb and Dorothy were blessed with five children. Dorothy passed away Feb. 27, 2004.
Herb’s other employment included being a meat cutter, teaching public school, coaching high school sports, Shetler Funeral Home, Pigeon, Mich., and Powell Funeral Home, Wellman. He enjoyed wood working at Schlabaugh & Sons, Kalona, and doing building construction on the side.
Herb also did interim work at seven other congregations in the Central Plaines Mennonite Conference.
He was united in marriage to Dorothy Koehler, Feb. 14, 2006. Herb ended ministry as visitation pastor at Washington United Presbyterian, Washington. They made their home in Washington. DK was an encouragement to Herb in his later ministry years. His total ministry was 70 years.
Herb enjoyed woodworking, electric trains, warm weather, being outdoors, and spending time with family. He passed away suddenly, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Washington County Hospital at the age of 91 years.
Herb is survived by his wife: Dorothy; five children: Cindy (Larry) Lane of Prospect, Ohio, Sara (Ron) Swartzendruber of Kalona, Steven (Becky) Yoder of Monument, Colo., Stuart (Connie) Yoder of Omaha, Neb. and Sonia (Jay) Miiller of Kalona; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four stepchildren: Louis E. Koehler of Iowa City, Mary Jo Koehler of Washington, Karen Seibert of Delhi and Brian Koehler of Washington; seven stepgrandchildren; a step great-grandchild; and a sister-in-law: Ellen Yoder of Littleton, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother: Dean B. Yoder; one grandson: Keith Lane; two great-granddaughters: Elizabeth Ann Eberly and Violet James Swartzendruber; and a stepson-in-law: Mike Seibert.
Celebration of life services were private family on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for services. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com. The service will be live streamed on the Powell Funeral Home Facebook and website pages. A general memorial fund has been established.
