Yoder, Michael Lee (1953-1986)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 31 Jul 1986 p. 2

Birth date: 1953

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 22 Jan 1987

text of obituary:

Man Faces Two Murder Counts in Slayings of Photographer, Employee

Kalamazoo, Mich. — Held without bond on two counts of murder, Frances Minnick, 35, is expected to go on trial in two or three months for the July 19 killings of Michael Lee Yoder, 33, and Toni T. Gillman, 22, of Portage.

Yoder, son of Goshen (Ind.) College faculty member S. L. Yoder, was owner and operator of Pro-Tech Co., a photography-repair firm. Gillman worked as a film developer and receptionist at Pro-Tech. Minnick was a former boyfriend of Gillman.

Minnick was found mentally competent to stand trial in a Kalamazooo Circuit Court ruling made after an extensive psychiatric examination. According to William Sykes, assistant prosecuting attorney for Kalamazoo County, Minnick has given a statement, but not a confession to authorities. In addition to the murder counts, he is charged with using a firearm while committing a felony.

At a preliminary hearing for Minnick, his cellmate reportedly confessed to the double homicide, but the confession was rejected by the presiding judge when the cellmate was unable to answer questions about the crime.

Yoder, a 1971 graduate of Goshen High School, spent two years at Goshen College, then obtained a degree at national Camera college near Denver. He moved to Kalamzoo eight years ago and set up his photography business there.

Sources aquainted [sic] with the victims told Elkhart Truth reporter Dan Shenk the pair were friends and co-workers, but had not been involved in a romantic relationship.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 4 Jun 1987 p. 5

text of obituary:

Convicted of Murder Of Goshen Native

Kalamazoo, Mich. — The trial over the murder of a former Goshen man ended late May 21 with a jury convicting Francis S. Minnick, Portage, of first and second degree murder.

Minnick was found guilty of the shooting death of Micahel Yoder and Toni Gillman, Portage, last July. He was convicted of first degree murder in Gillman's case and second degree murder for Yoder.

Yoder was the son of Goshen College faculty member S. L. Yoder and Mrs. Yoder.