James Newell Yoder

1941 - 2023

James "Jim" Newell Yoder (Bremen, IN) passed away on April 28, 2023 at his home at Lake of the Woods in Bremen.
Born on Nov. 22, 1941 in Plymouth, IN, he was the son of Newell W. and Myrtle M. (Patricia) Hartman Yoder, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him was his brother Jeff Yoder of Plymouth.
He attended Plymouth High School graduating with the class of 1960. He served in the US Navy for four years (1960-64). Jim held several jobs over the course of his life with two of his favorites being a restaurant entrepreneur (Kentucky Fried Chicken of Bremen, IN and Nappanee, IN and Chicken Charlie's family restaurant in Bremen) and a customer service specialist with Monaco Coach before retirement. Both of these roles suited Jim perfectly as it allowed him to show off his kind, funny, and servant-hearted spirit on a daily basis. In the 24 hours after his death, the family has been buoyed by so many reaching out with the same message: "He was one of the nicest people I have ever met."
Jim's last eleven years were filled with so many moments, pictures, and experiences with his six grandchildren who he adored. He enjoyed tinkering with anything small engine related, being anywhere near or on the lake, spending time with his family, and watching sports, especially the Indiana Hoosiers, Big Ten Basketball, the Bremen Lions, and Kentucky Wildcats Softball. He loved the many family dogs that preceded him in death during his marriage to Betty: Colonel, Shasta, Polly, Charlie, Quincy, Foster, and Harvey. His current dog Rizzo survives him.
James is survived by his loving wife Betty of Bremen. The couple married on Oct. 23, 1976 in Plymouth at the First Presbyterian Church. They spent the majority of their over 46 years of marriage residing in their home at Lake of the Woods.
He is survived by three children, Adam (Whitney) Yoder of Nappanee, Liza (Brian Davis) Yoder of Lebanon, IN and Sam (Melissa) of Greenfield, IN; six grandchildren, Thayne and Maddie Yoder of Nappanee and Ryan, Nicholas, Gracie, and Benjamin Yoder of Greenfield.
Also surviving are four siblings including Steve (Marcia) Yoder of Sarasota, FL, Phil Yoder and Nickie (Dennis) Weidner of Plymouth, and Kristy (Louis) Spaid of Wheatland, WY, sister-in-law Barb (Dan) Umbaugh of Carmel, IN, brother-in-law Bill (Ginny) Mannan of Tuscon, AZ; along with many nieces and nephews
In lieu of a public celebration, Jim's wishes were to be cremated. The family will be having a private celebration during the summer for family and friends.
If you would like to make a donation in Jim's name, please consider the Marshall County Humane Society (https://mchsshelter.org/index.html).
Condolences may be sent to the family through the website: www.johnson-danielson.com