John David Yoder

NEWPORT NEWS - John David Yoder, 87, died Saturday, August 23, 2014, at the home of his daughter, Christine Yoder. He was born November 13, 1926 in Warwick County, Virginia to Harvey E. and Alta Kennel Yoder on the family farm at Oyster Point where he grew up enjoying farm life. His career included the operation of Yoder Dairy with the milk, processing and door to door delivery of those products. As the local landscape changed in the 1960's from rural to urban, the cows were sold and John David turned to real estate and land development. He was instrumental in developing much of the land that was once part of the Yoder family farm including Criston Apartments and the Hampton Inn & Suites. He was known and respected as a dairyman, developer and a businessman with unquestioned integrity and an unwavering faith in the goodness of God. In 1950, he married Esther Mabel Baer. They were both life long members of Huntington Mennonite Church where they shared their love and gifts generously in many ways and positions. His life was marked by varied interests and accomplishments including work with Mennonite Economic Development Associates, serving as Board President of Mennowood Retirement Community and acting as the voice of the radio program Rock of Ages. In 1996, John David, along with others, created the Yoder Preservation Trust which acted to preserve the family's dairy barn, a local landmark on the Peninsula. The barn was moved and now rests at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Oyster Point Road, where it has served as a performance venue and community events space. John David and Esther Mabel worked tirelessly as part of the folk operas collectively titled Pieced Together which were performed in the Yoder Barn Theatre between 1997 - 2007. These plays were based on local oral histories and chronicled the people and events of the Newport News community. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Alta; his brother Chris Yoder; his son Mark Yoder; and his wife of 59 years, Esther Mabel Yoder. Surviving are daughter Christine Yoder; son John A. Yoder; two granddaughters, Erin Mullenex (Ryan Dillingham), and Kaitlyn Smitter; three sisters, Sarah Marie Weaver (Lloyd), Erma Lehman (Paul), Twila Brunk (Ken); a sister-in-law Sara Grace Yoder Miller; as well as many nieces and nephews. His passing is a great loss to his large extended family, the community, and his church family. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 PM Thursday, August 28, 2014 at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, August 29, 2014, at Huntington Mennonite Church. Burial will follow in the Warwick River Mennonite Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Mennonite University Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, 1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.