Gerald Berkey Yoder

     Gerald Berkey Yoder passed away peacefully at his home in Greenwood, DE, surrounded by his loving family on January 10, 2021, as the song was playing, “Lead Me Gently Home, Father”. He was born at his parents’ home in Greenwood, DE on March 30, 1942 to Albert Martin Yoder and Bertha Berkey Yoder. He was a member of the Greenwood Mennonite Church. He was a hard worker and at a young age, he would get up at 4:00 AM to milk cows before walking a mile to a one room school house. He learned the trade of carpentry from his father. Growing up he attended Greenwood Mennonite School and graduated from Greenwood Public High School in 1960. He attended Eastern Mennonite College where he graduated in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. He was principal/teacher at Bellville Mennonite School from 1968-1972 in Belleville, PA in fulfillment of his 1-W service. In 1972 he moved to Sarasota, FL where he married Ruth Sommers Yoder in 1973. They were blessed with five children during their marriage. While living in FL, he taught school at Sarasota Christian School and built homes in the summers with his friend Fran Overholt. He moved to Greenwood, DE in 1976 where he was principal/teacher at Greenwood Mennonite School from 1976-1983. In 1983 he moved to Homer, Alaska where he was principal/teacher at Christian Community School. In 1986 he moved back to Greenwood where he once again taught at GMS from 1986-2004. In 2004 he founded Yoder and Sons Construction, LLC with his two sons. At the end of 2018 he sold his remaining interest to his oldest son, Jay.

     He is survived by his wife Ruth of 47 years, and five children: Jay and Jill Yoder of Greenwood, DE, Ken and Beth Yoder of Indianapolis, IN, Kristi and Linden Sommers of Ephrata, PA, and Heidi and Kevin Good of Greenwood, DE. There are thirteen grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his infant son Gary, His parents and his older sister, Marilyn. 

     Gerald loved gardening, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He played the piano and the guitar, loved to sing acapella music with his beautiful tenor voice and was a passionate supporter of the JESUS film.

    A Viewing will be held from 6pm-8pm, Friday, January 15, 2021, and from 1pm-2pm, Saturday, January 16, 2021 in the Greenwood Mennonite School, 12802 Mennonite School Road, Greenwood, DE; where Funeral Services will be held at 2pm. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Mennonite Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jesus Film Project at www.jesusfilm.org., or by phone 1-800-918-9929, or by mail, 27631 LaPaz Road, Suite A, Laguna-Niguel, California 92677.  Condolences may be sent via: www.pippinfuneralhome.com.