Truman Frederick Yoder

Truman F. Yoder was received into the arms of Our Lord on Saturday, January 15, 2011. The cherished love and memories that he gave us all will never be lost or forgotten. His kindness and compassion for people in need will live on in the lives of those he touched. Truman rests peacefully with his beloved first wife, Dortha M. Yoder; his daughter, Connie Young; and his loving parents, Anna and T. Frederick Yoder.

Truman was born on the family farm on October 16, 1917 and grew to be a young, hard working member of his farming family. He attended a one room schoolhouse near Smithville, Ohio. It was there that he gained his love of literature and poetry. He was often called on to be the “substitute” teacher at that #9 schoolhouse, as he was one of the older students. Graduating, he went on to Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana. He was an active member of the Manchester debate team, and participated in several theatrical productions like the play "Our Town". It was there where he met his first love and wife to be, Dortha M. Crowl. They started their life together living and working on the family farm. After a year, they moved to Indiana where Truman worked jobs as a radio announcer, a photographer, and then he was the produce department manager of the A&P in Fort Wayne. He then went to work for International Harvester where, over the years, he gradually advanced to be Scheduling Manager. He retired from International Harvester in 1975 and moved to Lufkin, Texas in 1977.

Family was always first and foremost in Truman’s life but he also enjoyed literature, poetry, gardening, photographing nature and traveling. He is survived by his spouse, Eula Marlene Yoder, who shared his love of travel; six of his seven children; his son-in-law, and all their families. His children are sons, Vincent Yoder and his wife Susan, Dennis Yoder and his wife Marti, Larry Yoder and his wife Marcia, and David Yoder and his wife Barbara; son-in-law Robert Young, and daughters Sue Ann and her husband Frank Whittington, and Jan Timmons and her fiancé Tom Larkin. Also in the family are Eula Marlene’s son Bill Heishman and wife Donna, and their families. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

We also want to include other special family friends and people in Truman’s life; Linda Nelson, Charlene Adams, Dennis’ first wife and mother to his children and also, with heartfelt gratitude, loving caregivers, Traci Kowalik of Lufkin and Theresa Watson of Houston.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family at Gipson Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2011. A funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 607 Jane Way Avenue in Lufkin at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 22, 2011, with Reverend Jim Ainsworth officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home