Samuel E. Yoder, 87, of Elkhart, died Sunday February 12, 2017. The Nappanee native was born November 16, 1929 to Manasses & Christina (Mullet) Yoder. Sam was a US Army veteran of the Korean War and on June 7, 1969 he married Sara Gray in Michigan City and from that day forward always referred to her as "the love of his life". Sara preceded him in death on March 2, 2006 after 36 years of marriage. He retired as a driver for C&E Trucking in South Bend in 1991, after 36 years with the company. He was a long-time member of First Brethren Church of Elkhart and a volunteer at their food pantry; he was also a member of the Elderberries at the church and volunteered at Elkhart General Hospital. Sam was very traditional, a God-fearing, hard working, family man who always tried to do his best in everything he did. In addition to his parents and his wife, Sam was also preceded in death by children, Timothy Gray, Katherine Breese, Mary Ellen Hargett; brothers, Glenn, Marvin & William Yoder, sisters, Wilma Helmuth, Laura Kurtz and Mary & Suzie Yoder, and 3 step-children. He is survived by his daughters, Susan (randy) Van Vickle of Sartell MN, Patricia Pawlik of LaPorte and six grandchildren. Funeral Services 2:00 Thursday February 16, 2017 in First Brethren Church of Elkhart, 24197 CR16 East, where friends may call from 1-2pm. Arrangements through Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Hwy. Burial in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. To share a remembrance of Sam or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.chapelhillmemorial.com.