SYRACUSE – Omer E. Yoder, 85, Milford, passed away at 9:15 a.m. Oct. 27, 2013 at I.U. Goshen Hospital. He was born Oct. 13, 1928, in Nappanee, to Eli J. and Malinda Hochstetler Yoder. On March 14, 1951, in Crewe, Va., he married Katherine C. Kistler, who preceded him in death Jan. 3, 2013. He was a longtime Elkhart and Kosciusko counties resident, and attended the Weldy Country School in Nappanee. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean conflict. He was a truck driver for 30 years, the former owner-operator of Yoder Well Drilling and Aqua Wells in North Webster and a former volunteer driver for the V.A. for 13 years. He was a member and deacon of the Open Bible Baptist Church in Barbee and former member of the American Legion in Pierceton. Surviving are two daughters, Kathy Johnson, Goshen, and Marijane (and spouse Elbert) Campbell, Hiddenite, N.C.; son, Omer E. “Gene” (and spouse Lisa) Yoder, New Paris; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; six sisters: Fannie Mae Mast, Goshen; Mary Ellen (and spouse Clarence) Gingerich, Nappanee; Nora Helmuth, Ruby Hochstetler and Inez Yoder, all of Bremen; and Erma (and spouse Perry) Troyer, Townville, Pa.; seven brothers: Eldon (and spouse Fannie) Yoder, Salem, Mo.; Gilbert Ray (and spouse Ida) Yoder, Bristol; Eli (and spouse Wilma) Yoder Jr., Nappanee; Lonnie (and spouse Liz) Yoder, and Larry (and spouse Anna Mae) Yoder, both of Shipshewana; Harley (and spouse Rosemary) Yoder, Nappanee; and Andrew (and spouse Leann) Yoder, Topeka. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, Robert Yoder, grandson, Roger Yoder, and sister, Katie Chupp. Services will be at noon Saturday at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, with Pastor Sam Carns of the church officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton, with military graveside rites. Calling will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to the Open Bible Baptist Church, 21 EMS B61 Lane, Warsaw, IN 46580. Condolences may be sent via www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com
