Donald Yoder
1934 - 2018
Obituary
Donald Lee Yoder, 83, beloved husband,
father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, passed
away Wednesday (May 9, 2018). Donald was born on Dec. 30, 1934, in
Newton to John King Yoder Sr. and Anita (Laurin) Yoder.
Don grew up on a farm in Harvey County,
graduating from Walton High School with the class of 1953. He joined
the Navy and served four years. Coming home on leave he met his wife
to be, Delores Jean (Esau) Yoder. They were married on Feb. 16, 1958,
in Walton at Walton Mennonite Church.
Donald graduated with a four-year
degree from Kansas State University and became an electrical
engineer. Together for 60 years, Don and Delores had five children:
Deanna Lynn, Michael Lee, Michelle Renae, Melanie Jean and Donald
Jason Yoder. Together they raised their family and moved to where his
career in engineering took them.
Don had a fascinating career, which
took them all on great adventures throughout the United States. He
contributed his skills to companies like Motorola, Texas Instruments,
Astronautics, Hughes Aircraft, Lockheed Martin and NASA. He designed
many items for the space program including a defibrillator, toilet
and toothbrush, all used in space. He was an awesome provider for his
family. His fun sense of humor and unlimited optimism was enjoyed by
all of those around him.
He loved the outdoors, gardening, and
trimming trees on the weekends and taking the family on outings and
adventures to parks, lakes, hiking in the deserts and Sunday drives.
His priority in life was tending to the needs of his family and he
enjoyed being with them.
On May 2005, while undergoing a major
surgery for a brain aneurism, Don suffered a stroke leaving him
disabled and paralyzed on his left side of the body. Even though he
was disabled for many years, he was optimistic and always wanted to
contribute to society, and found enjoyment being with his wife daily,
ever so grateful to her for her devotion and caring for him in his
time of need. They moved back to Newton in 2007 to be closer to
family and to the place where they spent their earlier years; they
would spend their later years there, too.
He was preceded in death by his
parents.
Survivors are wife, Delores; five
children: Deanna Lyn Rice, Michael Lee Yoder, Michelle Renae Schafer,
Melanie Jean Yoder and Donald Jason Yoder; 11 grandchildren; 17
great-grandchildren; his brothers, Joe, John K. Jr. and Clarence
Yoder; along with several nieces and nephews and their children.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday
(May 15, 2018) at First Mennonite Church in Newton, with Pastor Kay
Schroeder presiding. Graveside committal service will be at 9:30 a.m.
at Walton Cemetery in Walton. Visitation is from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday
(May 14, 2018) at Petersen Funeral Home, with the family receiving
friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to First
Mennonite Church Caring Fund in care of the funeral home.
