Doris Yoder

Doris Yoder, 94, of Eureka, Ill., died Oct. 18, 2020, at the Apostolic Christian Home. She was born Aug. 3, 1926, to Peter and Louisa (Sutter) Zehr near Deer Creek.

In 1946 she married Robert (Bob) Yoder of Eureka. He preceded her in death in 2014.

She graduated from Deer Creek High School and studied for one year and two summers at Goshen (Ind.) College to obtain a teaching certificate during World War II. Before marriage she taught grades 1-8 at Maple Lawn Country School, teaching her students to sing in three-part harmony. She and Bob farmed in Woodford County and raised four children. She taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school and led children’s choirs at Roanoke Mennonite Church, where she was a member. She co-founded the Et Cetera Shop in Eureka as a thrift store and Mennonite Central Committee self-help store.

She and Bob were interested in and dedicated to overseas and domestic mission and service programs of the Mennonite church. She was a gracious hostess to many visitors in their home. She loved birds, flowers and God’s wondrous creation. A lover of sacred and classical music, she was an accomplished pianist, taught piano lessons and taught her children and others to enjoy music, especially singing hymns and choruses. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to study, live and serve overseas, broadening her international interests. Her Christian commitment widened gradually from a more sectarian Mennonite one to a more ecumenical one, including a firm friendship with her Roman Catholic spiritual director. 

Survivors include four children, Michael (Carolyn) of Eureka, Susan (Cecil) Graber of Denver, Daniel of Eureka and Erik (Leanne) of Tucson, Ariz.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; a granddaughter, Rebecca Yoder; and all her siblings, brothers Orrie, Roy and Milton Zehr and sisters Velma, Fannie and Mary Zehr.

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