Helen M. Yoder

Helen M. Yoder, 77, of Bristol passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 26th at Goshen Hospital.

She was born in Elkhart on February 15, 1940 to Langford L. and Carol M. (Reese) Canell Sr. She married Melvin J. Yoder on May 29, 1976 in Scott, IN. Surviving are 2 daughters, Tonia (Kevin) Koscher of Bristol and Tammy (Rick) Lough of Shipshewana; one son, David (Cindy) Higgins II of Shipshewana: 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers, Langford Canell Jr. of Elkhart and Charles (Jans) Canell of Leesburg, FL and 3 sisters, Beverly Strickler of Granger, Velda (Larry) Wesolowski of South Bend and Michele (David) Muir of Bristol. She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin on Sept. 17, 2010, a sister, Sharon Keener and her parents.

Helen retired as a production worker from Domore Office Furniture in Elkhart and had previously worked for Coachmen Industries. After her retirement, she volunteered at Miller’s Merry Manor in Lagrange and Golden Living Center in Elkhart. She enjoyed going to auto races and casinos. She was known as “Grandma Cow”.

Visitation for Helen will be Sunday, July 30th from 2-6 pm at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, Elkhart, where a service in her honor will be held at 11 am Monday, July 31st. Burial will follow at Prairie Street Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association.