Herbert Lee Yoder

Washington- 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 IN, and graduate study at Indiana University.

On December 31, 1948 Herb was united in marriage to Dorothy Beason. Dorothy joined Herb in his ministry beginning at Wawasee Lakeside Chapel, Syracuse, Indiana where Herb was ordained. Herb and family enjoyed extended ministry service at Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church, Pigeon Michigan; Bellwood Mennonite, Milford, NE; Manson Mennonite, Manson IA; and Washington Mennonite, Washington, IA. On this ministry journey Herb and Dorothy were blessed with five children. Dorothy passed away February 27, 2004.

Herb's other employment included being a meat cutter, teaching public school, coaching high school sports, Shetler Funeral Home, Pigeon MI, and Powell Funeral Home, Wellman IA. He enjoyed wood working at Schlabaugh & Sons, Kalona, IA and doing building construction on the side. Herb also did interim work at 7 other congregations in the Central Planes Mennonite Conference.

He was united in marriage to Dorothy Koehler February 14, 2006. Herb ended ministry as visitation pastor at Washington United Presbyterian , Washington IA. 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, January 5, 2021 in Washington County Hospital at the age of 91 years.

Herb is survived by his wife Dorothy; 5 children, Cindy (Larry) Lane of Prospect, Ohio, Sara (Ron) Swartzendruber of Kalona, Steven (Becky) Yoder of Monument, CO, Stuart (Connie) Yoder of Omaha, NE and Sonia (Jay) Miiller of Kalona; 13 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 4 stepchildren, Louis E. Koehler of Iowa City, Mary Jo Koehler of Washington, Karen Seibert of Delhi and Brian Koehler of Washington; 7 step grandchildren and a step great grandchild and a sister-in-law, Ellen Yoder of Littleton, CO.

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 step-son-in-law, Mike Seibert.