Grace Wingard Yoder Obituary (1918 - 2016)

Grace Wingard Yoder Harrisonburg Grace Wingard Yoder, 97, of Harrisonburg, passed away on Monday February 1, 2016 at Oak Lea Nursing Home. Mrs. Yoder was born on March 1, 1918 in Johnstown, PA and was a daughter of the late Robert and Katie (Blough) Wingard. She would describe her 'career' as rearing her four sons. She lived with a positive attitude and expressed a daily thankfulness and sense of gratitude throughout her life for how blessed she was. Often wishing she would have been permitted to go beyond her eighth-grade education, she nevertheless was an avid reader, a self-taught pianist, one with considerable artistic talent, and a great encouragement to her sons in their educational and athletic pursuits. She was much loved by her family and will be missed and remembered by many, especially her four sons. On August 19, 1939 she married Paul R. Yoder, Sr. who preceded her in death in 2005. Mrs. Yoder is survived by her four sons, Paul R. Yoder, Jr., and wife Carol of Harrisonburg, N. Wayne Yoder of Harrisonburg, Richard A. "Rick" Yoder and wife Carolyn of Harrisonburg, Larry E. Yoder and wife Marilyn of Broadway, and a brother Carl Wingard of New Holland, PA. Grandchildren are Liesel Yoder Showalter and husband Chris, Nicole Yoder (deceased), Lynette Yoder, Lori Yoder Leaman and husband Jeff, Katherine Yoder, Jessica Yoder and husband Brad Miller, Sara Yoder Ebersole and husband Wade, Jenny Yoder, Matthew Yoder and wife Sarah Boyts Yoder, Zachery Yoder and wife Abby Leake Yoder. Step grandchildren are Chad Esch and wife Laura, Marsha Zook and husband Mike, Melinda Yoder and husband Aaron. There are 20 great grandchildren and step great grandchildren. The memorial service will be held February 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church with Mark Keller officiating. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Mennonite University, 1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802 or Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community Compassion Fund, 1501 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802. Those wishing may share a memory or an online condolence by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.