Barbara Ruth Yoder, 88, of Ashland passed from this life on January 1, 2026 in Belmont Tower at Brethren Care Village.

She was born on October 1, 1937 in Ashland County, the daughter of the late Edward and Katherine (nee Dalton) Heckman.

Barb graduated from Ashland High School, Class of 1955. She married the love of her life, Kenneth L. Yoder on September 22, 1956. For more than 12 years, she ran the Christmas Treasurer Chest in Ashland. During her retirement years, Barb lived in Sebring, Florida for 23 years, and returned full time to Ashland in 2024.

Throughout Barb’s life she remained very active. Barb volunteered at the red cross, Samaritan Hospital, and served as the secretary and treasurer for Montgomery School PTA. She was a devoted member of Ashland Dickey Church of the Brethren, where she taught adult Sunday School class, member of the women’s auxiliary, and church clerk. She was also a member of the Four Seasons Garden Club. She enjoyed quilting, golfing and reading.

Barb is survived by two daughters, Candy (Pat) Rader of Mount Sterling and Daun (Kevin Siler) Lehman of Mansfield; one son, Steve Yoder of Grove Port; three granddaughters, Rachelle Rader of Mount Sterling, Amber (Dalton) Mosley of Mount Sterling, and Brooke (Edmundo) O’Casio of Harrisonburg, Virginia; three great grandchildren, Valerie O’Casio and Emma and Kolt Mosley; one brother, Joe (Peg) Heckman of Johnstown; and two sisters-in-law, Susie Heckman of Omaha, Nebraska and Lois “Lee” Heckman of Ashland.

In addition to her parents, Barb is preceded in death by her loving husband of 48 years, Ken Yoder who passed away in April of 2005; and three brothers, David, James, and John Heckman.

Funeral services will be held in the Dickey Church of the Brethren on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Andrew Cuffman and Reverend Tom Zuercher presiding. Interment will follow in the Dickey Cemetery. Friends and family may visit one hour prior to the service at the church from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dickey Church of the Brethren, 1509 Township Rd 655, Ashland, OH 44805 or Hospice of Western Reserve, 1021 Dauch Drive, Ashland, Ohio 44805.

For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and Crematory

Website: denbowfh.com