Joy M. Yoder

Joy Marie Yoder, age 68, of New Philadelphia and formerly of Stone Creek, went to be with her Lord and Savior, early Tuesday, April 15, 2025, while in the care of Ohio’s Hospice Truman House at New Philadelphia.

Born in Twin City Hospital at Dennison on April 29, 1956, Joy was the daughter of the late Francis and Mary Hoagland Fisher.

She was a 1974 graduate of Claymont High School and went on to complete her nursing education at the Mercy School of Nursing. Joy dedicated her life to caring for others through a decades-long career as a Registered Nurse, serving in multiple hospitals and nursing homes across the region. In the later years of her career, Joy was especially proud of her work with Akron Children’s Hospital Home Care, where she found true fulfillment in caring for young patients. Her deep passion for children and unwavering compassion touched the lives of countless families. Even in retirement, Joy never let go of her passion for helping others. She found enjoyment in continuing to serve as a caregiver to her family and friends, always offering a helping hand or a listening ear. She was a devoted wife, lovingly caring for her husband of 38 years, Vernon A. Yoder, whom she married on October 8, 1977. Vernon preceded her in death on March 18, 2016, following a lengthy illness.

Her deep faith in Jesus was nurtured at NewPointe Community Church at Dover. Despite her own illnesses and setbacks, no matter where she was, Joy took every opportunity possible to share her faith with others. She used greeting cards as her ministry to lift others up and was known to send special words of encouragement to those in need and when it came to birthdays or holidays, a card from Joy was sure to have been placed in the mail. Additionally, Joy loved reading and spending time with her favorite grand-pup, Miguel.

Joy will be deeply missed by her daughter, Melanie (Jeffrey) Cox of New Philadelphia; her step-grandsons, Dawson, Owen, and Logan Cox; her sisters, Sue (Dennis) Curell of Michigan, Lori Linard of Uhrichsville, and Amy (Scotty) Grimm of Stone Creek as well as numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Joy was preceded in death by an infant brother, Kevin Fisher, and a brother-in-law, Mark Linard.

The family will greet guests on Friday, April 18, 2025, from 9:30 – 11:30 AM in NewPointe Community Church at Dover where Pastor Dwight Mason will lead a celebration of Joy’s life at 11:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Union Hill Cemetery at Sugarcreek.

The family requests memorial contributions in Joy’s name be directed to Ohio’s Hospice Foundation, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.