Charles E. (Bud) Yoder, 84 of De Graff, was surrounded by his family when he passed from this life to spend eternity with his Heavenly Father at 11:45 AM Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at his home.
He was born June 8, 1927, in De Graff, a son of the late Lawrence E. and Esther Kuntzman Yoder. He was also preceded in death by a Sister, Donna Yoder Fry.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Eunice Stevens Yoder, whom he married on February 27, 1949 in De Graff, a Son; Steven (Judy) Yoder of South Charleston; two daughters, Pamela (Joe) Kinninger of Sidney, and Patricia (Gary) Leiss of Quincy; seven grandchildren, Lisa (Scott) Hart, Amy (Cliff) Mott, Beth (Rocky) Bryan, Adam (Rachael) Kinninger, Michael (Sarah) Kinninger, Dustin Leiss and Megan Leiss; five Great-grandchildren, Nathan Yelton, Matthew Mott, Charlotte Bryan, Katherine Bryan and Evelyn Kinninger and many friends.
Bud graduated from De Graff High School in 1945 and worked at the De Graff Creamery. He served in the U.S Army (Tank Division) from 1945 to 1947, after which he began working at Mid-States Container in DeGraff where he retired in 1986 after 39 years. During those years he was active in the DeGraff Community; he was a referee for football and basketball, was on the De Graff volunteer fire department, past president of the De Graff Chamber of Commerce and helped plan the DeGraff Gourd Festival for many years. He was a past president of the De Graff-Riverside Athletic Booster Club. He and two friends purchased ground and raised funds to build the first football field and stadium at the school. He was very supportive of all school activities and received a Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the Schools of Logan County. He was also a member of the DeGraff United Methodist Church for 64 years, a 50 year member of Boggs Lodge # 292 F&AM, a member of Quincy VFW Post, and Blue Jacket Bass masters.
After he retired, he and Eunice spent eighteen winters in a park in Tavares, FL where they made many friends that they still keep in touch with. While there, he enjoyed two special hobbies, fishing and golf and he started making golf clubs. While home for the summers he worked at Tree Links Golf Course and made golf clubs for family, friends and others who heard about him from their friends. He attended golf makers school to help him make top quality clubs. He loved making the clubs and meeting the people he made them for until 1997 when he lost his eyesight. Bud loved life and was an encourager to family and friends, even during his final illness.
The family will receive friends at the Rexer-Riggin-Madden Funeral Home, De Graff on Friday, November 18, 2011, from 2 to 4 and 5 to 8 PM followed by Masonic services at 8:00 PM. A celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the funeral home, with Rev. Carolyn J. Christman officiating. Burial is in the Greenwood-Union Cemetery, DeGraff where Military Rites will be conducted by the Logan County Honor Guard.
The family suggest memorial contributions be made to the De Graff United Methodist Church Building Fund or the Riverside E.M.S.
