Philip John "Phil" Yoder

YODER, PHILIP "PHIL" JOHN 86, of Tavares, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2010. He was born in Chester, PA to the late Edgar C. Yoder and Helen Baehr Yoder. Phil was preceded in death by a brother, two sisters, and his son, John Michael Yoder. Phil is survived by his loving wife, of 64 years, Betty Marie Wilburn Yoder of Tavares; daughters, Janet Marie (Robert) Latshaw of Howey-in-the-Hills, Linda Philene Lawson of Tavares and Brenda Ruth Yoder of Lakeland; sisters-in-law, Dorthea Yoder of Harrisburg, PA, Naomi Ruth (John) Olivera of Havelock North Carolina; ten grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; three nephews and two nieces. Phil enlisted in the Navy in November 1942 at the age of 19 where was trained as an Aerial Radio Operator and Tail Gunner earning a Navy Air Medal, The Philippine Liberation Medal with Two Stars, Asiatic Pacific Metal with Three Stars, the Air Crew Insignia with Three Stars, The American Area Metal, The Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal along with two Units Commendations and an Individual Commendation. Phil was Honorably discharged on January 6, 1947 at Naval Base Philadelphia, PA. Phil said, "That he couldn't handle the Northern Cold any longer", so in 1947 he moved to Florida and settled in Brandford near Lake City. In the early 1950's he came upon a better deal and moved to Lake County. He started working for the Lake County Mosquito Control Department as a part-time truck driver. Later he became the fourth Director of the Mosquito Control Department and after 31 years of swatting and combating mosquitoes Phil retired. His retirement was spent on his favorite pastimes, of fishing on the St. Johns River, working in his shop making small furniture pieces and repairing TX's and radios. He had a great love of animals of all kinds. Phil was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Tavares. Friends may call on the family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9 at
Steverson Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 10 at the First Baptist Church of Tavares, 124 North Joanna Ave., Tavares, FL. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778. Arrangements have been entrusted to Steverson Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Home, 226 East Burleigh Boulevard, Tavares, FL 32778. Online condolences may be left at
www.steversonhamlinhilbish.com