Lola Mae Yoder

Lola Mae Yoder (1935 – 2025)

Lola Mae Yoder, 90, of Millersburg, OH, beloved by not only her family but by so many people in the community, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Walnut Hills Nursing Home following a period of declining health.

She was born in Jamboree, Kentucky on August 14, 1935, to James Madison and Hattie Fields Slone.

Lola followed her sister Liza to Ohio and met the love of her life, Harvey D. Yoder, in 1955 while in a grocery store. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married May 29, 1956.

Lola and Harvey couldn't wait to start a family of their own, and their children meant the world to them. Their house was full of the love and laughter of five children: Patty, Harvey "Arky", Cindy, Bruce, and Renee. As one who loved to sing, her home was always filled with songs, whether it be waking up her children with "This is the day that the Lord has made", singing hymns, or listening to bluegrass music (often with some good clog dancing to go with it). She took joy in raising her children and being a "second mom" to other kids.

Though she loved singing, working, and spending time with others, Lola's favorite role was that as a grandparent to Dave, Dustin, Whitney; Nick, Andrea, Amanda; Megan, Morgan, Jordan; Michaela, Jaden, Blake; Nathan, Walker, Alina. She treasured her time with her grandkids and loved being their Grandma Lou, never failing to make her sausage gravy and biscuit breakfast on New Years. The entire family would gather for the holidays, which included the best view in town for Independence Day fireworks and large yard for egg hunting at Easter (which never seemed to happen as the grandkids picked strawberries instead). Sundays were spent at Grandma Lou's house, which resulted in a battle between the grandchildren over who got to sit on the heater top, while she laughed and cuddled with the others on the couch.

She was passionate about her job as she worked at the Holmes County Training Center in both the school and workshop. Later, she worked at Rhodes and really found her niche, as she loved her coworkers and her customers to the point of dreaming every night of working there.

Lola was a founding member of the Millersburg Church of God, devoting her time and energy to spread the message of God's love and heaven to those in the county home, nursing homes, and in churches. Throughout her time in the congregation, she helped support at least 7 pastors and 13 missionaries, who went on to spread the gospel.

Everyone who knew Lola knew how much she loved to sing, play guitar, sew, and cook. She was always using her gift of music to sing about Jesus's love. It was well known that as soon as she would pluck the guitar, you immediately felt the presence of the Lord. We take comfort in knowing that she is once again singing and dancing with those who went before her. In addition, her sewing and cooking skills were imparted to others as gifts, resulting in quilts, outfits, and mounds and mounds of delicious southern-made homemade food.

Lola was preceded in death by parents James and Hattie Slone, all her siblings: Everett, Jack, Easter, James, Halver, Liza, Howard, William, Shirley, Sadie, Ruby, and Lura Faye; a son-in-law, Keith Dunn; and her grandsons: Nathan Yoder and Walker Angle. She is survived by her children Patty (Dave) Masters, Harvey "Arky" Yoder, Cindy (Mitch) McDowell, Bruce (Rhonda) Yoder, and Renee Dunn; her grandchildren: Dave (Michelle) Masters, Dustin (Tieraney) Masters, Whitney (Joe) Hartman, Nick (Danielle) Moss, Andrea (Rollie) Mast, Amanda Yoder; Megan (Brian) Bratton, Morgan (Chris) Hill, Jordan (Christina) McDowell; Michaela (Eliakim) Rodier, Jadon Yoder, Blake Yoder; Alina Dunn, Brandie (wife of Nathan) Yoder; 22 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandson.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Walnut Hills Nursing Home and Crossroads Hospice for all the care and support they have provided to Sweet Lou.

Calling Hours are Monday, December 15, 2025, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Alexander Funeral Home. The funeral services will start at Alexander Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with the burial taking place immediately after at Hopewell Cemetery.

Those wishing to share a memory or make online condolences may do so here. Donations or memorial contributions to the Millersburg Church of God, food pantry, or to your local VA service center would be greatly appreciated.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6