Robert A. "Bob" Yoder, 87, of Eureka passed away Tuesday morning, November 25 at Maple Lawn Health Center in Eureka. Bob was born December 18, 1926 to Oliver and Stella (Schertz) Yoder in Eureka. He attended Maple Lawn country school and graduated from Eureka High School. He married Doris (Sutter) Zehr of Morton in 1946 and enjoyed nearly 68 years of marriage and family life.
Bob was a full-time sheep and crop farmer most of his life, receiving the Prairie Farmer Master Farmer award and serving as president of the Eureka Farmers Co-op during the construction of the Cruger elevator. He was a lifetime member of the Roanoke Mennonite Church, serving as elder and teacher there, and later in life serving the wider Mennonite church in stewardship education and fundraising efforts which took him to Mennonite communities across the country. He sought unity in both the local church and the wider church, making friends in many other faith communities.
While he never attended college, he was widely read and in many ways self-educated. He authored Seeking First the Kingdom and two compilations of his memories for family, Spirit Breezes on the Tallgrass Prairie and Milestones and Altars on My Road of Faith. In retirement he enjoyed establishing and maintaining a prairie and writing poetry, surfing the internet and sharing jokes and stories via e-mail. He maintained interest in national and world affairs, with a special concern for peace and justice at home and abroad.
He is survived by his wife Doris of Eureka, sisters Ann Gerber of Eureka and Wilma Springer of Livermore, CA; sons Michael (Carolyn) and Daniel Yoder of Eureka and Erik (Leanne) Yoder of Tucson and daughter Susan (Cecil) Graber of Eureka, by grandchildren Sonia Graber of Denver, Sarah (Scott) Skripsky of Santa Barbara, Robert E. and Amanda Yoder of Eureka, Joshua Yoder of Goshen and Allyson Yoder of Tempe, as well as one great granddaughter and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, a stillborn son, granddaughter Rebecca Yoder, and brothers- and sisters-in-law Sam Gerber, Victor Springer, and Orrie (Alma), Roy (Opal), Milton (Helen), Velma, Mary and Fannie Zehr.
Cremation rites have been accorded by Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home of Eureka. Visitation with family present will be Saturday, Nov 29 starting at 1 p.m. at Memorial Hall of Maple Lawn Homes with a short memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. A later memorial service celebrating Bob's life will be held Sunday December 28th at 3:00 pm at Roanoke Mennonite Church. Visitation will be an hour prior to this service and a fellowship lunch will follow. Memorial gifts may be made to Maple Lawn Homes, Roanoke Mennonite Church, Mennonite Mission Network, or a charity of your choice.
Memorial Service
NOV
29.
2:00 PM (CST)
Maple Lawn Homes Memorial Hall
Eureka, IL
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