BELLEVILLE - Percy S. Yoder, 87, of 555 Maple Grove Road, Belleville, passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2012, at his residence.
Born Jan. 10, 1925, in Belleville, he was the son of the late Rudy J. and Naomi R. (Peachey) Yoder. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lois M. (Hershey) Yoder, whom he married May 6, 1950.
Also surviving are: five children, Paul H. Yoder and wife, Sherryl (Miller), of Belleville, R. Glenn Yoder and wife, Karen (Slabaugh), of Belleville, Marcia L. Hackman and husband, Joseph, of Emmaus, Timothy L. Yoder and wife, Brenda (Augsburger), of Bird in Hand, and Anne E. Martin and husband, Jeffrey, of New Holland; 16 grandchildren, Michael (Maria) Yoder, Michelle (Victor) Sensenig, Matthew (Bobbi) Yoder, Marc (JaLisa) Yoder, Peter Yoder, John Yoder, Anna Yoder, Joseph (Angela) Hackman, Elizabeth (Eric) Kennel, Brian (Lachelle) Hackman, Emily Yoder (fiance, Zach Fedor), Philip Yoder, Andrew Yoder, Cassidy Martin, Christopher Martin and Chadman Martin; eight great-grandchildren, Natalie, Paul, Grant, Cade, Aaron, Lydia, Landon, and Ila; one sister, Catherine M. Yoder, of Belleville; and one sister-in-law, Verna M. Yoder, of Belleville.
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Percy S. Yoder
He was preceded in death by siblings, Bertha, Lee, Ruth, Minnie (Yoder) Zook, Mark R. and Mary Jane Yoder.
Percy was a dairy farmer in Belleville who retired in 1987, but continued to have a passion for agriculture.
He was a member of the Locust Grove Mennonite Church, Belleville, where he served in various roles during his lifetime, including leading singing, teaching Sunday school, and as an elder.
He was one of the founders of Valley View Retirement Community, served on the board for 25 years, and remained a charter member. In addition, he was one of the founding members of the Mennonite Heritage Center in Belleville.
In his retirement, he volunteered at Valley View Haven. His interest in local history included giving tours of and preserving and telling stories of the Big Valley.
He also served as a driver for the Old Order Amish community. His involvement in missions included prison ministry and several overseas mission trips. His ability to converse easily with people created many friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially with his grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
A tribute to his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 2, 2012, at the Locust Grove Mennonite Church, Belleville, with Pastors Max Zook and Ivan Yoder officiating. Interment will be in the Locust Grove Mennonite Cemetery.
There will be a viewing at the church from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 1, 2012, and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Valley View Haven Endowment Fund, 4702 E Main St, Belleville, PA 17004, or to the Mennonite Heritage Center, 2 Walnut St, Belleville, PA 17004.
Arrangements are under the care of Henderson Funeral Home, Inc., 3813 W. Main St., Belleville.
