Lester "Butch" Yoder

Lester “Butch” Yoder, age 79, of Swanton, Ohio, passed-away, unexpectedly, in his home, Saturday morning, August 29, 2020. He was born on January 20, 1941, in Wauseon, Ohio to Loran and Vera (Schelling) Yoder. Butch was a 1958 graduate of Wauseon High School. He served in The United States Navy from 1958-1959. In 1962, he married Martha J. Meyers and started the family he was so proud of, their “3 boys and the brat”.

Butch worked in sales for Yoder Machinery in Holland, for many years, alongside several family members. He worked hard to provide for his family, allowing Marti to stay home to raise the children, but he was sure to take a break to attend all the boys sporting events. In his younger years, he was a member of The Holland Fire Department. He was also a member of The Swanton and The Maumee Elks, The Sylvania Moose and The Swanton American Legion. Butch loved a good deal; he would make daily trips to Kroger’s to check out the clearance section and talk to his favorite cashiers. He would rarely pass by a garage sale or an estate sale without stopping and was always on the lookout for a hidden treasure someone he knew “just had to have”. In his spare time, he would buy, fix up and sell lawn mowers, mostly to spend time talking to different people. He loved spending time at the casino, where he was sure he could get the slot machine to pay out if he knocked on it or called it names. Often, he would say to whoever was playing with him “put another $100 in, it’s gonna hit!”

If you were blessed enough that he referred to you by a nickname, you held a very special place in his heart. Butch had a rare sense of humor, he loved to make people laugh and he loved to be around family. If there was a family function, he would tell you “I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” He loved being Papa to all his grandchildren, but even more so, he loved referring to himself as “Papa Great” to the great grandkids. If asked “Do you need anything”, he would reply “20’s for 10’s” and he was certain he just delivered the best one-liner ever!

Butch is survived by an amazing wife of 58 years, Martha Jane Yoder, sons Loran Jeffery (Susan) Yoder, Lyle Jacob (Rita) Yoder, Lonnie Jay (Michelle) Yoder and daughter, Marcy Jo (Todd) Keefer. Grandchildren Mandy (Keith) Konecki, Beth (Scott) May, Stephanie (Wade) Simpson, Monica (Josh) Rhodes, Micaela Yoder, Riley Yoder, Matthew Zahner, Natalie Yoder, Lauren Woodring and Kendra Keefer. Great Grandchildren Kaitlyn, Karson, Wyatt, Paesyn, Weston, Brystol, Kylie, Jenson, Jaxon, Kenzy and Tinley. He is also survived by his siblings, Lowell, Jean, Marel and twin Lois. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Loran and Vera and siblings John, Paul and Sharon.

Respecting his wishes, Butch was cremated and will be buried at The Wauseon Union Cemetery. An open house style celebration of his life, (because he loved a good party), will be held for family and friends, on September 20, 2020 at The Swanton American Legion, 200 Hallett Avenue, Swanton, Ohio from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. We look forward to hearing your stories and memories of this amazing man! Please be COVID Aware, wear a mask if you are comfortable and social distance when possible.