Ira J. Yoder

Ira J. Yoder, age 80, of Garnett, Kansas, died on Thursday, June 5, 2008, at his home. Ira was born on June 23, 1927, at Weatherford, Oklahoma, the son of Jerry and Amanda (Mullet) Yoder. He married Ida Miller on July 1, 1951, at McMinnville, Oregon, eleven children were born to this union. Ira was a member of the Old Order Amish Church. He was a life-long farmer and a carpenter for many years; he also operated a saw mill and he did custom hay baling and sold peaches, earning him the nickname the Peach Man. Ira was a very hard worker. He enjoyed fishing, but his greatest joy was his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Amanda Yoder; three sons, Leon, Larry and Joseph Yoder; two grandsons, Jonathan Schmucker and David Troyer; father-in-law Sam Miller; son-in-law Harvey Troyer; one brother, Joe Yoder; and brothers-in-law Ora Yoder and William Troyer. Ira is survived by his wife, Ida Yoder of the home; five sons, Jerry Yoder and wife Nancy of Mt. Grove, Missouri; Glen Yoder and wife Carolyn of Welda, Kansas; Sam Yoder and wife Marilyn of Middlebury, Indiana; Ray Yoder and wife Becky of Welda, Kansas; Laverne Yoder and wife Liz of Garnett, Kansas; three daughters, Wilma Troyer, Katie Schmucker and husband Elmer, and Teresa Keim and husband Mahlon, all of Garnett, Kansas; two brothers, Ben Yoder and wife Fannie of Middlebury, Indiana; Ervin Yoder and wife Esther of Garnett, Kansas; four sisters, Emma Yoder of Garnett, Kansas; Cora Miller and husband Aden of Lyndon, Kansas; Fannie Yoder and husband Mervin of Hutchinson, Kansas; Miriam Jackson and husband Jerry of Adrian, Missouri; thirty-nine grandchildren; and twenty-five great grandchildren. He also had many, many friends. Funeral services and visitation will be held at the Elmer Schmucker residence, 19777 NW 1700 Road, Garnett, Kansas. The funeral will be held at 9:00 AM, June 8, 2008. Burial will follow in the Amish Cemetery. The family will greet friends beginning at 2:00 PM, Saturday afternoon with a visitation at 7:00 PM Saturday evening.