PAUL T. YODER

1941 - 2021

PHILIPSBURG - Paul T. Yoder, 79, of (Gearhartville) Philipsburg, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey.

Paul was born on June 24, 1941, in Belleville, a son of the late Moses Aaron and Katherine "Katie B." (Yoder) Yoder.

Paul was a man of faith. He attended various churches throughout his life. He knew his Bible well, and was guided by his beliefs.

Paul attended the former Kishacoquillas Junior/Senior High School until the 11th grade. His family relocated to the Goshen, Indiana area, and he graduated from the Goshen High School in 1959. Paul furthered his education at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science; now known as the University of the Sciences, and graduated with a degree in Pharmacy in 1963.

Paul's career as a pharmacist spans over 50 years. His long and storied career includes time with former and current businesses in the local region including: the former Cowdrick's in Clearfield and Philipsburg, the Clearfield Hospital, the former Philipsburg State General Hospital, Woodward Pharmacy of Houtzdale, the former Fay's Pharmacy of Philipsburg, Moshannon Valley Pharmacy, the former Ibberson's Pharmacy of Philipsburg, Pharmacy Relief Services of Latrobe, State College and Altoona, Target of State College, Critical Care Systems, of State College, Giant, of State College, Martins, of Altoona and Keller and Monroe, of Lock Haven. As a semiretired pharmacist, Paul also drove a shuttle for The Village at Penn State.

Paul was also a very active member of the community. His volunteer efforts included past-president and membership of the Philipsburg Kiwanis since 1964; Past State VP of the Pennsylvania Jaycees; Moshannon Lodge 391 F. & A. M.; past chairman and Man of the Year of the Pennsylvania Jr. Wrestling, Area 2; and the Philipsburg Heritage Days Committee.

Paul was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, shooting sports and working the family farm. Some of his proudest moments included the seasons that he harvested a bull elk in Pennsylvania and two moose from his trips to Maine. He was an avid supporter of the program "Hunters Sharing the Harvest."

Paul was also a fan of Penn State sports, and held season tickets to wrestling and hockey.

Paul's favorite pastime above all, was bragging about his four children and nine grandchildren.

Paul was married on March 21, 1972, in Winchester, Va., to the former Paula J. Somsky, who survives at home.

He is also survived by one daughter, Brittany N. Kephart and her husband, Curtis J., of Delray Beach, Fla.; three sons, P.T. Yoder and his wife Marti E. of Manchester, Aaron Moses Yoder and his wife Jessica D. of Plattsmouth, Neb., and Joshua D. Yoder and his wife Jennifer L. of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Sadie, Seth, Emily, Ben, Gertie, Elliot, Abe, Helena, and Eloise Yoder; one sister, Eleanor Derstine and her husband Paul of Chevy Chase, Md., and numerous other extended family members.

Paul was preceded in death by one brother, Dr. Stanley J. Yoder; and his father and mother-in-law, Paul Somsky, Sr. and Janet (Hutton) Somsky, in addition to his parents.

A private funeral service was held at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Philipsburg, with the Rev. Scott Hartsock and Lay Speaker Garry Kephart, co-officiating.

Interment is at Philipsburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Paul's memory to the Moshannon Valley YMCA; any local food bank; or to Hunters Sharing the Harvest, 6780 Hickory Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17112 / www.sharedeer.org.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com.