June 11, 1934 - November 17, 2020
J. Ben Yoder, 86, of McVeytown, passed away Nov. 17, 2020, at Valley View Haven.
Born June 11, 1934, in Belleville. He was the son of Daniel A. and Fannie Rebecca (Sharp) Yoder.
He married Peggy Jo (Workman), April 9, 1960. She preceded him in death March 20, 2016. Ben is survived by the following children, Dale R. Yoder and wife, Debbie, of Belleville, Preston C. Yoder and wife, Jennifer, of Belleville, Scott A. Yoder, of Belleville, Curtis D. Yoder and wife, Penny, of McVeytown; grandchildren, Daniel A. Yoder, Dustin R. Yoder and wife, Ashley, Clint M. Yoder and wife, Heather, Sean C. Yoder and wife, Ellen Matis, Denise K. (Yoder) and husband, Micah Peachey, Brent C. Yoder, Trisha L. Yoder and fiance’, Luke Stake; great-grandchildren, Marcus and Madyson Yoder, Landon and Blake Yoder and Brooklyn Peachey.
He is survived by a sister, Esther Lewis, of Allensville, sisters-in-law Betty Yoder, of Deland, Fla., and Shirley Yoder, of Lewistown.
Ben was preceded in death by his sisters, Sadie Peachey, Bertha Hostetler, Ella Byler, Edna Kauffman, Linda Spicher, A. Marian Yoder; and brothers, Roman Yoder, Alvin Yoder, Frank Yoder and Lee S. Yoder.
Ben served in 1W and Pax from 1954 to 1956. He was stationed in Germany and Algeria and while there, he served as a carpenter and painter. He then attended Eastern Mennonite College for a year after serving in PAX. After returning from PAX, he began working as a general contractor building houses in the Belleville area.
Ben currently was member at Mattawana Mennonite Church. He taught Sunday School for many years, and had previously taught Bible School at Masontown Mennonite Church, which is where he met Peggy. He was well known for his Bible knowledge.
He was a horseman, hunter and farmer at heart. He farmed in Centre County for about 10 years.
Although very humble about this gift, Ben definitely had a gift for expressing his thoughts in poems, stories and verse. Many verses and stories were written for special occasions for his family and friends.
He was devoted to his family throughout the years, and enjoyed his grandchildren and especially enjoyed watching his great grandchildren. He was a devoted uncle to many nieces and nephews throughout their lives.
A graveside service will be private and at the convenience of the family at Pleasant View Cemetery in Mattawana with Pastor Rod Lehman officiating.
Arrangements are under the care of Henderson Funeral Home, Belleville.
Online condolences may be offered at www.hendersonfuneralhomes.net.