Leroy W. Yoder

September 4, 1931 - August 29, 2012

LeRoy W. Yoder, 80, a resident of Berne, met his Lord and Savior at 10:40 a.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at the Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur.

He was born on September 4, 1931 in Adams Cunty to Raymond and Ida(Habegger) Yoder of rural Geneva. He was married on March 6, 1954 to Barbara Lehman. The couple celebrated their fifty-eight years of marriage.

Yoder enlisted in the US Army and served two years in Puerto Rico from 1954-1956. After his military service, the couple became the third generation to live and work on the family farm in Hartford Township, west of Berne. They were honored to receive a 100-year Indiana Homestead Award from the state in recognition of the Yoder family's long history on the land. LeRoy's grandparents, John and Mary Yoder, first purchased the land in 1899. The original farmhouse still stands and occupied by one of LeRoy's granddaughters and farmed by his son Kevin. He left the farm in 1999 and moved to Berne.

He was an active member of the First Mennonite Church. He joined the church in 1945 and served as a trustee and served on the MCC Meat Canner committee, a Mennonite organization providing food relief for those in need around he world. Other interests were singing in the First Mennonite Men's Chorus, Adamizers Barbershop Chorus and the Edelweiss Men's Chorus. He served on the South Adams School Board from 1970 to 1974. LeRoy served as Board President and helped with the building plans of the new high school.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, three sons, Keith(Carla) Yoder of Dunlap, IL.; Kevin(Tami) Yoder of Geneva, IN.; and Kyle(Tammy) Yoder of Palmdale, CA.; ten grandchildren; two step grandchildren; one step great grandchild; one sister, Vernelle Yoder of Berne; one brother, Harry Yoder of Berne.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings; Ilva, Evanna, John and Jerry Yoder.

Surrounded by his loving family and many friends, LeRoy will always be remembered for his wit, humor and stories. He enjoyed making homemade ice cream on the farm and being at the local coffee shops reminiscing with his friends.

Visitation is from 2:00 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 31 at the Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the church Services are at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 1 at the First Mennonite Church in Berne. Officiating is Rev. Jeff Linthicum and Rev. Jerry Flueckiger. Burial will be in the MRE Cemetery with military graveside rites.

Memorials may be made out to the First Mennonite Church for the benefit of the Local MCC Meat Canner.