Steven J. Yoder, 60, died June 1, 2016, at 2:35 p.m. at the Cleveland Clinic.  Steve was born Oct. 29, 1955 in Marysville, Ohio, to Henry and Lydia (Troyer) Yoder.  On July 31, 1982, he married Janet Jantzi Yoder who survives. 

Yoder was currently a pastor at First Mennonite Church in Bluffton. He served as a pastor in the Mennonite church for 22 years.

He was an active member of the Bluffton Area Ministerial Association and the Bluffton Lions Club. He graduated from Jonathan Alder High School, Prairie Bible Institute, the Ohio State University and Bethany Seminary.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his mother, Lydia Yoder of Plain City, Ohio; three sons, Neil (Youngju Yoon) Yoder of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Aaron (Mary Byram) Yoder of Lansing, Michigan, Jeff Yoder of Nashville, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Henry Yoder and Elmer Yoder; a brother, Howard (Louise) Yoder of Plain City, Ohio; three sisters Marlene Yoder of Columbus, Ohio, Fran (Leon) Hochstedler of Delaware, Ohio and Mary Yoder of Plain City, Ohio

Yoder was preceded in death by his father Henry Yoder. 

A memorial service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton.  Pastors Wanda Stopher and Lavon Welty officiating. 

A private burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton, at a later date.  Visitation will be Sunday from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton. 

Memorial contributions may be made to First Mennonite Church or Bluffton Lions Club.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.