Yoder, Paul R. (1916-2005)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Dec 19 p. 16

Birth date: 1916

text of obituary:

Former pastor and EMU staff member dies at 89

HARRISONBURG, Va. — Paul R. Yoder Sr., a former staff member and longtime advocate for Eastern Mennonite University, died Nov. 29 at Rockingham Memorial hospital. he was 89.

Yoder was an associate in church relations at EMU from 1986-98 and served on the steering committee of the Loyal Royals, an EMU athletic support group, at the time of his death.

He also was a former pastor, having served Huber Mennonite Church in New Carlisle, Ohio, and Bay Shore Mennonite Church in Sarasota, Fla. He was interim pastor for two years at Ridgeway Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg.

A native of Elverson, Pa., Yoder was a farmer for 15 years before entering the ministry.

Paul had a remarkable passion for Eastern Mennonite University and a love for youth," said Phillip N. Helmuth, executive director of development and director of church relatins. "Paul was an effective representative of the university at Mennonite conference annual assemblies, as a fund-raiser to states west of the Mississippi, WEMC radio in the local community and as a long-term volunteer to Loyal Royals."

On Aug. 19, 1939, he married Grace Wingard, who survives.

Also surviving are four sons, Paul Jr., a member of the EMU board of trustees; N. Wayne; Richard A., professor of business and economics at EMU; and Larry E.; 10 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Services were held at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.