Robert L. Yoder

Robert LeRoy Yoder, age 91, of Topeka, IN passed away on June 8, 2011 at 5 PM at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville, IN.

Mr. Yoder was born on April 19, 1920 to Erman B. & Gladys (Phillips) Yoder in LaGrange County, IN. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1937 and went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Army in the medical corps. During his service he spent four years in North Africa, Italy and France. He was discharged in 1945 as a Staff Sergeant.

On February 9, 1946 he married Mary S. Gibson in Medford, MA. He owned and operated Yoder Oil Company from which he retired in 1982. He was a lifetime area resident, bowled on the Topeka and LaGrange Men’s Bowling League, served on the town council, and was a member of the LaGrange American Legion and the Topeka United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary S. Yoder of Topeka; two sons, Dennis A. Yoder of Wolcottville, IN and Robert L. Yoder of Topeka, IN; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Kathryn Peterson.

A funeral service will be held in Mr. Yoder’s honor on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 4:00 PM at Topeka United Methodist Church with Pastor Diana Siegal officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Topeka, Indiana where military honors will be conducted.

There will be a time of visitation from 2-4 PM prior to the funeral service on Saturday at Topeka United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions are to Topeka United Methodist Church.