Vida Leona (McCulloh) Yoder

Vida Leona (McCulloh) Yoder
1912 – 2005

Vida M. Yoder HARRISBURG

Vida Leona McCulIoh Yoder, 92, went to her eternal reward on Monday, November 21, 2005, following a brief illness. She was the wife of Rev. Leroy G. Yoder who died in 1984.

Mrs. Yoder was born November 26, 1912, on a farm in Whiteside County, Ill., the ninth of 11 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. 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. Together, with her husband, they 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.

In addition to her husband and parents, Vida was preceded in death by her four brothers; her six sisters; a daughter, Evangeline Y. Schwartz in 2004; and a grandson. She is survived by her son-in-law, M. Samuel Schwartz of York; daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Margaret Y.Groff and Philip E. Groff of Mechanicsburg; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. L. William Yoder and Jane L. Yoder of Chelmsford, Mass.; son and daughter-in-law, David L. Yoder and Dr. Velma Dyck Yoder of Mechanicsburg; 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, the Rev. Dr. Glenn E. “Woody” Dalton of the Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church, will officiate. Her remains will be interred at the Grantham Memorial Cemetery.

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