Gordon W. Yoder

Gordon William “Wick” Yoder (87) of Chambersburg, PA went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 7. He was born on August 9, 1937 to “Whaley” John R. and Edna K. (Glick) Yoder in Belleville, PA. He first attended a one room schoolhouse in White Hall, PA, and then graduated 8th grade at Allensville School, at which time he got a work permit. After his mother passed away when he was 16, Gordon lived with his grandparents - Ezra “Whalebone Ez” and Barbara “Babbie” Yoder - for a time while working for local farmers.

When he was 18, Gordon followed the wheat harvest from Tennessee to Montana; Gordon’s job was operating a combine. He then moved to Hutchinson, Kansas for several years, where he lived for a time with the William & Clara Miller family and attended Plain View Mennonite Church; he considered them his “Kansas folks” for the rest of his life. While living with them, he went forward at a tent revival to be born again. He was drafted in 1960, and as a conscientious objector did alternative 1-W service at the Prairie View Psychiatric Hospital in Newton, KS. He worked nightshift with a nurse named Thelma Swartley, who he married in February 1963, after they moved back to her hometown of Doylestown, PA. Both of them wanted their children to grow up knowing the love of Jesus and to show the love of Jesus to everyone they met through everything they did.

While raising their 3 children - Julie, Doreen, and Jeff - Gordon worked as a mechanic and truck driver for various companies over the years including owner/operator of his own tractor trailer, Director of Transportation & Maintenance at Plumstead Christian School where the students nicknamed him “Flash”, and BFI. He and Thelma also helped lead the youth group at Doylestown Mennonite Church, and their family hosted “Fresh Air Kids” from inner city Philadelphia. Gordon made a habit of inviting people into their home, and Thelma always made sure there was enough food for everyone.

Later, Gordon and Thelma moved to Bradford County, PA to live near their daughters and grandchildren, who dubbed him “Poppy” and who he delighted in taking with him on his Dairyland sales route or on short trips in the big rig. They later moved to the Poconos to do full-time Christian ministry at Spruce Lake Retreat, where Gordon worked on the camp vehicles and did custodial work. Thelma went home to be with the Lord in 2002.

Later that year, Gordon married Grace Moyer Aicher. They eventually retired to Chambersburg, PA, where Gordon and Grace enjoyed volunteering together at the local thrift store and Gordon brushed up on his Pennsylvania Dutch while working part time at Jim’s Market.

In addition to Jesus and his family, Gordon had a love for old cars, especially the ‘68 Chevelle that he worked at restoring with his son Jeff. One restoration job turned into several when Jeff bought additional cars for parts, and Gordon wanted to restore them instead. Gordon was known to always be ready with a corny joke, and he was often preceded by the sound of his keys and off-key whistling or singing.

In addition to his parents, his “Kansas folks”, and his late wife, Thelma, Gordon was greeted in Heaven by his brother Lloyd, who died in infancy, his brother and sister-in-law, John & Sara Ann Yoder, his sister Roseanna Ramsey, and his step-mother Naomi Yoder. He is survived by his wife, Grace Yoder, his daughters Julie & Fred Siegfried and Doreen & Scott Ross, his son Jeff & Heather Yoder, his sister Marge & Tim Armstrong, and his “Kansas brother” Ivan & Emma Miller, along with his grandchildren Jason, Sondra, Amanda (Jonathan), Aaron (Lara), Emma, Ashton (Terina), Kyle (Michele), Avery (Rachel), Abagail (Daniel), & Alyssa, his 23 great-grandchildren, his four step-children and their families, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and the host of friends who he considered family but are too numerous to name.

There will be a Celebration of Gordon’s Life on March 22, 2025 at Pond Bank Community Church in Chambersburg, Pa. Visitation with the family begins at 10:00 a.m. The Celebration of Life will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a meal to follow. Gordon will be laid to rest with Thelma at Doylestown Mennonite Church in a private service at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spruce Lake Ministries or Pond Bank Community Church in memory of Gordon W. Yoder.

Arrangements are by SimpleChoice Cremation Services, Chambersburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at simple-choicecremation.com.