Paul J. Yoder Obituary (1917

In Memory OfPaul J. Yoder Paul John Yoder was born January 2, 1917, on a farm near Kalona, Iowa to John J. & Rebecca (Miller) Yoder, the 3rd of 5 children, and died Tuesday, October 2, 2007, at the Crestview Care Center in Milford, Nebraska at the age of 90 years and 9 months. At the age of four, Paul moved with his family briefly to Shipshewana, Indiana before arriving in Middlebury, IN where he attended Griner grade school and Middlebury High School. He helped his father on the farm until he was 21 when he went to work on a turkey farm for 3 years. Paul, a natural mechanic, returned to Middlebury and was employed at Kauffman Garage. Paul was always available for friends whenever they asked for his mechanical help. On November 7, 1941, he went to a CPS Camp in Bluffton, IN and then was deferred back to his father's farm in 1943 to help him with the farming. On November 21, 1943, he was united in marriage to F. Berneice Yoder at her parent's home in Milford and to this union two sons Robert and Steven and a daughter Carolyn were born. Together they began their life in Milford where again Paul worked at a turkey farm outside of Milford. In 1946, he picked up his mechanical career again and worked at Subway Motors, Beckler's Farm Implement, Christianson's Farm Store and Duteau Chevrolet. Paul retired from Farmland Coop in Milford. As a young man, Paul accepted Christ as his personal savior and was baptized in 1936 in Middlebury. He was a member for a few years at East Fairview Mennonite Church before becoming a charter member of Bellwood Mennonite Church of Milford. Paul was a truck driver and enjoyed traveling which he continued in his retirement by taking many trips with Berneice. He also had an excellent memory of dates and activities and loved to tell a story. In his spare time he enjoyed camping and fishing at Harlan County and Lewis and Clark Lakes. Survivors include his sons and daughter-in-law, Robert of Portland, OR, Steve and Deb, Omaha; daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Jim Bradley, Independence, MO, four grandchildren and spouse, Troy and Monica Yoder, Ian, Amy and Rachelle Yoder, and a great-granddaughter, Jayden Yoder; a sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marguerite and Darold Roth, Milford, Donald and Barbara Reber, Goshen, IN; several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Berneice on Oct. 1, 2001, his brothers, Fred, Truman, Emil and Floyd Yoder and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Reber. A Memorial Service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 6, 2007, at Bellwood Mennonite Church, Milford, with Rev. David Miller officiating. Food and fellowship reception following service at the church. Cremation. No viewing. Register book available for signing Friday, 9 am a