Lowell Burnell Yoder

Though his earthly tent became tattered and worn by age 93, on June 4, 2023 Lowell Burnell Yoder left this earth and is present with His Savior whom he served for more than 60 years.

Lowell was preceded in death by his parents Loran and Vera (Schelling) Yoder of Wauseon and his brothers John, Paul and Lester (Butch) as well as sisters Sharon (Yoder) Wyse and Dewila Jean (Yoder) Tilton, and beloved grandchild Tyler Lowell Yoder. Lowell, the oldest of 8 siblings, is survived by sisters Marel Harris and Lois Gerken.

Lowell, born May 3, 1930 in Holgate, graduated from Wauseon High School in 1948. He married Marylin Zenk of Metamora, Ohio on March 10, 1951.

Lowell is survived by Marylin (Zenk) Yoder his wife of 72 years and their 5 “T”s: Thomas (Marcia) Yoder, Timothy (Jennifer) Yoder, Terral (Erika) Yoder, Trudy (Kenneth) Vicary and Tamra (Philip) Leinbach. Beloved grandchildren: Ryan (Nissa) Yoder, Kyle (Jamie) Yoder, Kory (Erin) Yoder, Lynze (John) Ballay, Jordan (Matthew) Sandretto, Whitney (Tyler) Hogrefe, Cody Yoder, Kendra (Brian) Birkes, Karli Vicary, Thomas (Megan) Yoder, Emma Yoder, Josiah Leinbach, MaryLynn Leinbach and Thaddeus (Gwyn) Leinbach. Great-grandchildren Sullivan, Maxie, Lennan, Crawford, George, Simon, Florence, Margaux, Jett, Cole, Colette, August, Quinn and Callen.

Since 1953 the Yoders called Springfield Township home. In 1958, Lowell started Yoder Machinery Company in Holland where he remained as its president for 40 years.

Amidst the busyness of his business, Lowell made time for his community. He coached and sponsored many little league teams for Springfield Little League Baseball, even closing up Yoder Machinery early to get to the games on time.

Lowell was one of the board members who helped organize Strawberry Acres in Holland as well as part of the Strawberry Festival Committee. When the Committee dissolved, the Festival monies were given to Springfield High School for a scholarship program which is still in existence today. Also, from 1967-1979 Lowell served on the Springfield School Board.

Lowell had a well-developed funny bone as he had a joke, humorous story or witty comeback for all occasions. Laughter is always good medicine.

Lowell’s heart beat full-time for missions which guided much of his life. Locally, he was one of the early founders of WPOS Christian radio station in 1966, donating the land and the original building for the station. He served on the WPOS board from its start through 2011.

On the property of WPOS, Lowell was instrumental in the construction of the Youth for Christ building. He served faithfully on the YFC board for 10 years.

Lowell’s passion for missions spilled internationally as well. He devoted much time and resources to the Friends of Haiti Organization (FOHO). As a co-founder of FOHO, he served as an officer and board member for more than 35 years. He made numerous trips to Haiti over nearly 45 years with work teams. Tons of food, medicine, hospital and farm equipment, generators, cement mixers and even goats were sent to Haiti to support machine shops, hospitals, wells, churches and schools. Lowell’s pet-project, solar cookers, helped Haitians harness sun power instead of deforesting their land for cooking.

Besides Haiti, Lowell became enthused with ministries in Poland after visiting there with his friend Joey Bochenek in 1984. It was not long before containers of food, educational equipment, and materials to build churches flowed to Poland.

A member of the Rotary Club for 45 years with perfect attendance, Lowell traveled to many International Rotary Conventions where he would play his guitar with the Rotary Musicians.

Evangelizing the Gospel was important to Lowell. He called Holland Free Methodist his church “home” for many decades. He was a long-time member of the Gideons as well as Association of Fundamental Ministers and Churches. He obtained his ordained minister’s license in 1969.

Lowell enjoyed his involvement with the Greater Toledo Republican Club where he served as an officer and member for several decades. He also was elected as a precinct committeeman in his district for many years. This association explains his sweet and enduring obsession with elephants!

Local history always captivated Lowell’s attention, which led to his involvement in the Holland-Springfield-Spencer, Fulton County, and Metamora Historical Societies. He loved collecting items to give to friends, family or whomever.

Another of Lowell’s enduring hobbies was music. His early years, he played with the Down Home Boys who played on behalf of International Harvester. There would be a movie about farm implements then the band would play while refreshments were served. Lowell learned to play a big string bass, needing to stand on a chair, as he played live one-hour every Saturday morning on the Defiance Radio Station.

Singing and guitar playing continued for decades. Two 45s were cut: The Shot that Killed Jack Kennedy and Don’t Blame the State of Texas. Through the 70s- 80s Lowell sang and played with two country gospel quartets ~ first the Gloryland Quartet and later the Calvaryland Quartet, traveling most weekends all throughout the Midwest. He took seriously the command to go into all the world and preach (and sing) the Gospel! And his first ever solo in church as a 13-yr-old boy reminds us ~

This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue

The angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

Visitation will be Friday, June 9 from 2 pm – 8 pm at Holland Free Methodist Church in Holland OH. Visitation on Saturday, June 10 at 9 am with the funeral to follow at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, the Yoder family would be honored if you would make a donation to Toledo Christian School for the Tyler Lowell Yoder Scholarship Fund. Make checks out to: TC Foundation and reference Tyler Yoder Scholarship Fund. Send to TCS, 2303 Brookford Dr., Toledo OH 43614. For donations online ~ www.toledochristian.com.