Mary Louise Yoder, 85, of Arp, Texas, passed away on September 19, 2025, at the Hospice of East Texas in Tyler, Texas. She was born October 18, 1939, in Greensburg, Indiana to Clifford and Inez (Mires) Weisner. She graduated from Greensburg High School in 1957.
On January 19, 1963, she married Robert D. Yoder in Greensburg, Indiana. He survives along with their 3 children, Amy (Kelly) Starr of Tyler, TX, Jay (Laura) Yoder of Hutchinson, Kansas and Jill (Greg) Godfrey of Queen Creek, Arizona. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Alex (Maria) Godfrey, Amanda Godfrey (Tim Griggs), Emily (Luis) Ewing, Dakota (Morgan) Starr, Tanner (McKayLee) Starr, Adam Yoder, Austin Godfrey, Garrison Starr, Aaron Godfrey, Victoria (Cooper) Brown, and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Patty Strasburger and Jeanie Kile Patterson, and her brother, Cliff Weisner.
Mary was a homemaker but once her 3 children were well into school, she added some part-time office clerical jobs at several different companies over the years, mostly so she had someone to talk with. She was a 50+ year member of Eastern Star, and a member of Audubon societies, PTAs, and quilting guilds in the various places she lived.
Mary was known and loved for her spunk and bright colors and was never afraid to speak her mind to anyone nearby. She loved watching birds and wild animals and playing in the snow. For more than 25 years, she and 9-10 high school girlfriends would rent a house or condo for 4-5 days in places such as Branson, Gatlinburg, or near Indiana’s Brown County State Park and take in shows, shop, or just sit and talk, laugh, and sometimes cry a little. At least that’s what they always told us. Mary loved quilts, baskets, and books, and she accumulated many of each. She especially liked reading about quilts, the Civil War, and pioneer women. While living in Kansas, she learned wheat weaving and made many decorative items with wheat.
Mary’s favorite entertainment was always just driving around the countryside looking for wild animals, fall color, Christmas lights, spring flowers, and Amish farms. With Bob, they visited all 50 states and ventured into Canada and Mexico.
A Celebration of Life was held on September 20 at Pollard United Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas. That celebration can be viewed at Celebration of Life - Mary Yoder
Memorial contributions would be welcomed at the Hospice of East Texas (hospiceofeasttexas.org), from whom she received excellent compassionate care. Or you can
honor Mary’s memory by participating in your local Walk to End Alzheimer’s, either by raising support and walking yourself or sponsoring someone like Bob who will be participating in Mary’s memory.