Obituary of John Yoder

John Arnold (JAY) Yoder passed away in his home Monday evening, August 1, 2011. He was born July 12, 1925 to Eli and Ida Plank Yoder at Newton, Kansas. He was the first born of four children. The family farmed in the area of Newton Kansas. Jay attended Kansas schools at Zimmerdale, Walton and Hesston Academy. He spent many long days of hard work helping his father with farm work. This included dairy cattle, hogs, chickens, and crops. He also frequently did farm work away from home, such as shearing sheep. Jay was asked to work for the International machinery dealer in Turon, Kansas. This job included hauling and assembling machinery. He was later asked to be a traveling sales man for a new young company named Hesston Manufacturing. He worked for Hesston for ten years in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Wyoming. He enjoyed selling equipment, traveling, and meeting people. It was in 1948 that his wife to be, Betty Durham went to Turon, Kansas to teach school. Jay and Betty met in Turon and were married in August, 1948. They had two sons, Scott Yoder and Wade Yoder. They had two grandchildren, Josie and Joshua Yoder. When Jay was growing up, he read Zane Gray’s book, Riders of the Purple Sage, and he dreamed of being a rancher some day. In 1955 Jay and Betty bought their home in Yoder, Colorado. Jay enjoyed being self employed as a rancher and farmer. He especially enjoyed selling bulls and attending 4-H market steer show activities at the El Paso County Fair. He joyfully worked on his ranch up until his last days. Jay served his community in several different capacities. Jay taught adult Sunday school for many years. He and his wife Betty were charter members of Kendrick Bible Church. He was Master of Ramah Masonic Lodge No. 165 in 1976. He gladly served as a committee man of Farmer Home Administration. He served on the board of Edison School when the gymnasium, two classrooms, the foyer, and indoor bathrooms were added. He was also a member of Pikes Peak Cattleman’s Association and Colorado Consistory. Jay is survived by his wife Betty Yoder, his son Scott Yoder, his son and daughter in-law, Wade and Cynthia Yoder, his grandchildren, Josie and Joshua Yoder all of Yoder, Colorado. He is also survived by his sister Mary Kathryn Stucky of Moundridge Kansas, his brother Lawrence Yoder and wife Elda of Newton Kansas, his sister in-law, Dolores Yoder of Hesston Kansas, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother Dr Vernon Yoder of Hesston, Kansas. Graveside services will be 9:30 A.M. Friday, August 5, 2011 at the Atioch Cemetery in Yoder, Colorado. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 5, 2011 at the Kendrick Bible Church in Rush, Colorado. There will be a public visitation at the Love Funeral Home in Limon, Colorado from 4-7 P.M., Thursday, August 4, 2011. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care – Odyssey Group, the Edison Volunteer Fire Department, or the community church of your choice.