Earl Dale Yoder, 92, of Talbert, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was the firstborn of Perry and Savilla (Shrock) Yoder on October 24, 1933, in Greenwood, Delaware.
Earl’s life was guided by his close walk with his Savior & LORD, Jesus Christ.
As a young adult, Earl followed his parents in their move to Blountstown, Florida, to be part of a church plant of the Conservative Mennonite Conference. It was there that he married his wife, and where his children were born. He worked with his father and brothers in their construction business. In 1968, he moved his young family to Turners Creek to assist with the ministry of Turners Creek Mennonite Church and the Turners Creek Eggs business. He was known as the “Egg Man” as he delivered eggs twice a week to country stores and supermarkets in the Breathitt and Perry County area. Later, he worked in the construction business.
Earl had a servant’s heart, which lead him to many volunteer opportunities. He was known as a handyman on Turners Creek, often assisting with electrical, plumbing or repair jobs. He was a member of Turners Creek Mennonite Church and drove the big bus for VBS for many years. He was actively involved in planning & construction with Mennonite Disaster Service. He was a counselor and later worked in remodeling at Bethel Mennonite Camp. After he retired, he and Maxine served as short-term house parents at Northern Youth Ministries in Dryden, Ontario. They then answered the call to being custodians and campus grandparents at Rosedale Bible Institute. Following Maxine’s death, he became a prison crusade volunteer with We Care and Gospel Express ministries in North Florida, Alabama and South Carolina. This ministry extended to grading Bible studies for (1000+) prisoners, always including a personal note of encouragement which was followed by intercession on their behalf. He could often be heard throughout the night, interceding for his family and many others. His greatest desire was to share the joy of knowing Jesus to everyone he met. He distributed gospel tracts along his many journeys.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Savilla Yoder; his wife of 42 years, Maxine (Purcell) Yoder; his brothers, Perry Martin (Fannie) Yoder, Arley Yoder and Mark Yoder; his sisters, Mary (Earnest) Wanyoike, Edith (John) Nissley, Ella Stutzman, Alta (Bobby) McGhee; and great grandson, Elijah Faithful Short.
He is survived by his son, John David (Lucy) Yoder of Jackson; his daughters, Mary Virginia (Calvin) Eash of Buckhorn; and Naomi Carol (John) Caudill of Ezel. Eight grandchildren: Amanda (Jeremy) Sheffel; Karen (Christian) Short; Emily (Joshua) Krueger; Melody (Samuel) Short; Shauna Yoder; Maria Eash; Caleb Caudill and Joshua (Ashlyn) Caudill. Great grandchildren: Joseph, Micah, Aaron, Marcus, Andrew, Ethan and Gideon Sheffel; Joanna Krueger; Abigail, Josiah, Naomi and Isaiah Short; Matthew, Hannah, Elizabeth Ann, Nathaniel and Caleb Short. Brothers: Robert (Dorothy) Yoder, David (Sharon) Yoder. Sisters: Beulah (Elton) Headings, Joann (Curvin) Hursh. Sister-in-law: Rhonda Yoder and brother-in-law: Glenn Stutzman. And many friends and extended family.
Visitation for Earl will be held Sunday, July 12, 2026 at the Breathitt Funeral Home from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM with his funeral service to be held Monday, July 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM with Phil Swartzentruber and David Turner officiating.
Burial will follow in the Alice B. Turner Cemtery at Turners Creek with Caleb Caudill, Joshua Caudill, Jeremy Sheffel, Christian Short, Samuel Short, Joshua Krueger, Joseph Sheffel and Micah Sheffel serving as pallbearers.
A favorite life verse was “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.” Proverbs 3: 5 & 6.
In lieu of flowers family request donations be made to Gospel Express Ministry, P. O. Box 217, Lynn, NC 28750 (gospelexpress.com/donate) or We Care Program, 3493 Highway 21, Atmore, AL 36502 (wecareprogram.org/Page-Give) or Bethel Camp, 2773 Bethel Church Road, Clayhole, KY 41317 (bethelcamp.org/donate).
