Tribute to Vida M. Yoder
November 26, 1912 - November 21, 2005

Vida Leona McCulloh Yoder, 92, lived in Harrisburg, PA. She went to her eternal reward on November 21, 2005, following a brief illness.

She was born on a farm in Whiteside County, IL on November 26, 1912, the ninth of eleven children. Her father was a dairy farmer and preacher. Along with her siblings, she helped with the farm work and especially loved working with the horses. Vida had many fond memories of her years growing up in Illinois and everyone who heard her speak of them or read her published collection enjoyed her fascinating stories.

At age 18, she left home to attend high school at the academy at Messiah Bible College in Grantham, PA. There she met and later married Rev. Leroy G. Yoder, with whom she shared life for just over 49 years. They had six children. After the youngest was in school, she began caring for foster children in the York county area - a total of 18 of them in the following years. Vida and her husband served in several Brethren in Christ pastorates in Virginia and Pennsylvania, the last one being the congregation at the former Messiah Home in Harrisburg. In her role as a pastor's wife and partner, Vida found many ways to serve in the church. Her never ending love for children and her compassionate regard for disadvantaged adults on the fringes of society will not soon be forgotten.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her four brothers and six sisters, her husband, the Rev. Leroy G. Yoder in 1984, a daughter, Evangeline Y. Schwartz in 2004 and a grandson.

She is survived by son-in-law, M. Samuel Schwartz, of York, PA; daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Margaret Y. Groff and Philip E. Groff of Mechanicsburg, PA; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. L. William Yoder and Jane L. Yoder of Chelmsford, MA; son and daughter-in-law, David L. Yoder and Dr. Velma Dyck Yoder of Mechanicsburg, PA; son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Dr. Lawrence M. Yoder and Rev. Shirlee Kohler Yoder of Harrisonburg, VA; daughter, Susan Kathleen "Sky" Yoder of Harrisburg; 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

A service to celebrate her life and legacy will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 2 p.m., in the Grantham Brethren in Christ Church. Her pastor, Rev. Dr. Glenn E. "Woody" Dalton of the Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church will officiate. Her remains will be interred at Grantham Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to the Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church, 2217 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17104.