Charles Dean Yoder

CHARLES DEAN YODER

March 4, 1931 – April 29, 2023

Charles Dean Yoder, 92 of Elkhart, passed away April 29, 2023, at his home. He was born March 4, 1931, in Middlebury, IN to Tobias T. and Katie L. (Stutzman) Yoder. Descended from the original Amish immigrants to America from Switzerland, he is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 62 years, Martha Mae (Yoder) Yoder and his siblings, Floyd Jay, Lloyd Ray, Viola Ruth and Kenneth Lyle Yoder. He is survived by his sons John Charles (Susan) Yoder of Martinsville, IN, Robert Dean (JoAnna) Yoder of Cary, NC, Joel Martin Yoder of Cincinnati, OH; his grandsons William Charles (Rachel) Yoder of Fuquay-Varina, NC, Robert Thomas Yoder of Seattle, WA; and his great-grandchildren, Andrew Charles Yoder, Addison Rae Yoder and Kayleigh Lynn Scott.

Charles was raised on a farm in Middlebury and graduated from Middlebury High School in 1949. He received a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1953 from Goshen College, and a master’s degree in education in 1961 from Butler University. 

After graduation from college, Charles served in the Mennonite Central Committee’s PAX program from 1954-1955.  During his service, he helped to rebuild post-war Europe, including projects in Germany and Holland.

He was a long-time teacher and Principal for Elkhart Community Schools. He was an active member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, where he volunteered countless hours as a choir singer and as a member of the “Ed’s Boys” maintenance crew. He enjoyed traveling, rose gardening, wood carving and ballroom dancing – where he and his wife were members of the Guys and Dolls Dance Club and the Merritimers Dance Club.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. till the time of the service at 12:00p.m. (Noon) on Wednesday May 3, 2023, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 405 W. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, IN.  Pastor Tom DeFries will render the service and burial will be in the family plot at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Middlebury.  Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home is entrusted with his care.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation (htohhfoundation.org).

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