Mark Joseph Yoder

Mark Joseph “MJ” Yoder, 83, of Stevensville passed away on Friday, February 15, 2019. MJ was born October 29, 1935 in Kalona, IA to Daniel and Nancy (Hershberger) Yoder. Born and raised on the family homestead, he was one of ten children: Lois, Leah, D. Paul, Rhoda Mae, Luke, Eunice, twins Ruby and Ruth, and Phil. After graduating from Iowa Mennonite School, he moved to Eaton County, MI to do 1W alternative to military service as a conscientious objector during the Korean War There, he served as a dairy tester to farms in the Charlotte area. MJ completed his Associate’s degree in Turfgrass Management at Michigan State University in 1970. He interned at Point of Woods Golf and Country Club, later becoming the Assistant Superintendent. A few years later, he worked as Golf Course Superintendent at the Cadillac Country Club in Cadillac, MI. On May 23, 1976, he married Carolyn Louise Wyan on the seventh green of the country club. By 1982, they had three daughters. His work as a superintendent took them to the Ivory Coast (Africa) and Vermont. Their last move returned him to Southwest Michigan in 1992. He was a member of GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendent Association of America) for 50 years. MJ was passionate about travel, sports, gardening, Jeopardy!, and crossword puzzles. He was a strong advocate of keeping up with national and local news. Without fail, his morning routine involved a trip to either Martin’s Supermarket or The Red Coach in Stevensville, where he would catch up on the news-about-town with his coffee shop cronies, read through The Herald Palladium, and complete the USA Today crossword by noon. Most afternoons and evenings, he could be found at Lakeshore High School athletic events, whether home or away. His company, Walnuts Unlimited, Ltd., sponsored multiple weight classes for the Lakeshore wrestling team. He followed the Big 10 teams – especially his alma mater, MSU. MJ was averse to the use of one-dollar bills. When the Sacagawea gold dollar coins were first minted in 2000, he initiated a one-man crusade to promote the circulation of this coin in hopes of eliminating the production of the one-dollar bill. If ever at a restaurant, he would leave service tips in gold dollars and found any excuse to make gold coin payments to others. In his retirement, he remained incredibly active. He participated in two golf leagues – Pipestone Creek and Pebblewood. Over the past 10 years, he served Berrien County residents well by collecting literally tons of walnuts from people’s yards every September and October, taking them for hulling at Smith farm in Berrien Springs. MJ will be deeply missed by his wife of 42 years, Carolyn; his daughters Julie Elmore, Sonya, and Monique; son-in-law David Elmore; grandson Oliver; sisters Leah Roberts, Eunice (Jim) Brenneman, and Ruby Campos; brother, Phil (Judy) Yoder; and many nieces, nephews, and the generations that have followed. Friends and family are invited to gather on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Road; Stevensville, MI. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:45, the memorial service at 11:00, and a luncheon to follow immediately after. In lieu of flowers, the family asks people to consider a memorial donation to Lakeshore High School Athletics or Sarett Nature Center in his name. Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.