Myron Lee Yoder

Myron was raised in Columbus and lived with his maternal grandparents until he was five while his father served in the Army in Europe during World War II.

He spent many a happy summer with his Grampa and Gramma Yoder “out on the farm” near Bellefontaine. This is where he made his happiest childhood memories. He spoke often of running through the fields with the dog and gramma’s amazing cooking on the wood stove, especially her homemade noodles.

One of his proudest life achievements was being selected to sing with the Columbus Boy Choir and live away from home from ages 7 to 12. Myron met Albert Einstein when he visited the school, and was on television a number of times, even recording some commercials.

As a young teenager, Myron rode many miles on his trusty Schwin bicycle delivering the newspaper. Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of early morning could deter him from perfecting his accurate porch-throw. His children loved playing with his snow globe award he received for being the top carrier one year...until we broke it. Sorry, dad!

The year of 1956 was especially momentous as that is when he met his future bride, Henrietta, when his family traveled to Kentucky to visit friends who were missionaries there.

In 1957, Myron started working at Abbott Automotive in Columbus. He quickly revealed his amazing numeric photographic memory and his management skills and was promoted to manager while still 17. Later in life, Myron would create numbering systems for automatic transmission parts and catalogs in addition to working as a parts warehouse manager.

Myron graduated from Linden-McKinley high school in 1958. He excelled in history, where he earned an A+++ for a report on the European Theater during WWII. His teacher was so impressed that he guaranteed Myron’s passing grade for the school term.

After graduation, Myron worked hard to save up for his next stage in life... marriage and a home and children. In 1960, he married that sweet Kentucky girl, Henrietta, at Clintonville Baptist Church. They went to Gettysburg for their honeymoon and Myron joked forever-after that they started their marriage “on the battlefield”.

Henrietta and Myron returned from their honeymoon, moved into that precious little house on Elmore Street, and were active in their young couples’ group at church. Myron enjoyed singing with the men in a gospel quartet and when he wasn’t singing, he enjoyed going to concerts of his favorite gospel quartets.

Myron was a lifelong audiophile and amassed a massive collection of LPs, cassette tapes, CDs and DVDs. His collection brought him many years of enjoyment. He and Henri served faithfully in their church’s tape ministry, duplicating tapes of Sunday sermons and special missionary speakers.

Softball was also a great love of Myron, both playing and umpiring. He earned the nickname Mr. Blue for the blue uniform shirt he wore. He earned the reputation of being the most accurate and fair umpire on the field and was highly sought after by players and coaches.

Myron was always interested in Southern Gospel music concerts, but even more so after his retirement at age 75. He racked up thousands of miles attending concerts in the greater Houston area. Myron loved to support all the Southern Gospel groups, but especially the local Dignity Gospel Quartet and concert series.

From DGC lead Russell Allen: It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of our dear friend, Myron Yoder, longtime supporter and Artist Circle Member of The Greater Houston Gospel Songfest. Myron passed away following lengthy health issues and the recent loss of his dear wife. When we spoke by phone recently his parting comment to me was "I'll see you at the camp meeting on Saturday unless the Lord calls me home before then”. God bless you brother Myron, you are now at home in your brand new glorified perfect body. We'll miss your face looking back at us from the front row each time we take the stage from now on. Enjoy your reunion with your wife and your eternity in peace and joy with Our Heavenly Father.

In spite of being on dialysis with congestive heart failure and insulin-dependent diabetes, Myron was determined to live as healthily as possible. He had dialysis treatments 3 days a week and on the off days, walked and climbed hills at Bear Creek Park. He was able to work his way up to walking four miles and going up 16 hills. He was a sight to see, going up the hills with his walker!

Myron said good-bye to his sweet Kentucky bride on January 24, after 60 years, 7 months, and 2 weeks of marriage. He spoke often of missing her and longing to be reunited. His family is thankful that he did not have to wait too long.

Myron and Henri have four children, Ted Yoder, Janet Ilisevic (deceased), Vicky “Pony” Peterson (Dale “Petey”), and John Yoder (Tinette Faith).

He is grandfather to six: Philip Yoder (Carrie), Deborah Kerley (Kevin), Amanda Yoder, Thomas Yoder, Joel Ilisevic, and John Chase (Nicole).

Special memories:

Brother Paul - We slept in the same bed and he used to sneak out and push his hot rod Dodge down the street before he started it because it was so loud. Then go to the Beverly Drive In. One year he asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I said a train set. He said he wasn't sure if Santa could deliver one. I told him Santa better or Dad was going to find out about him sneaking out! I got a train set for Christmas!

Daughter Pony - When I was 18 I worked with dad at the transmission parts store he was managing. It was interesting to finally see what he had been doing all those years. I fell in love with parts numbers. I can’t explain it except to say that maybe the love of numbers is passed down through DNA. I would assemble bushing and O-ring and clutch plate kits all day long and on the way home, dad would quiz me on the part numbers that each set contained. I believe this is when he was the most proud of me.

Grandson Philip - Grandpa always exemplified an extremely strong work ethic. Even in retirement he could tell you in what country just about any car part was manufactured just by the first few digits of the VIN number. He always made it his mission to be the best at what he did. And I’ve tried to make that my legacy and approach to my work too.

Grandson Joel – I remember when he volunteered to drive us over to New Orleans for our Junior Olympics in karate. He was camera-man in the stands, recording our competitions. He really enjoyed the all-you-can-eat Shoney’s buffet.

Grandson John Chase – Grandpa always generously shared his love of music and movies with us, loaning us all kinds of tapes and CDs from his personal library. I was also blessed to attend several Southern Gospel concerts with him over the years. He joked that I was the only one in the family who liked to listen at his volume.

His great-grandchildren are Macayla, Allison, Anastasia, and Hazel.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Henrietta Yoder, his daughter, Janet Ilisevic, and his parents, Don and Leona Yoder. He is survived by his brother, Paul David Yoder.

Inscribed inside Myron and Henri’s wedding rings: Proverbs 3:5 & 6

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.”

To accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, only believe:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:12-13

• Confess (acknowledge) your sin

• Believe that Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin

• Accept His free gift of salvation and forgiveness of your sins…all of them!

• Know that you are now saved and a new creation in Christ

• Live your life to please God and bring glory to Him

• Rejoice in the sure hope that you will go to Heaven one day!