Quenten L. Yoder

Quenten L. Yoder, age 64, of Burlington, Michigan was called home onJune 13, 2012.He was born on June 3, 1948 in Elkhart, Indiana the fourth child of Melvin and Anna (Schrock) Yoder. He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1966 and went on to earn Bachelor of Science and Masters in Public Administration degrees both from Western Michigan University.In 1998 Quenten married Martha Brecheisen Johnson at Victorian Villa in Union City.Quenten's professional life centered on public service. He retired in 2008 after 23 years as a Senior Occupational Safety Consultant with the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He served several counties in the Southwest Michigan area providing consultation and training to many workplaces and conducting public seminars. He truly enjoyed helping workplaces find a solution to safety and health problems. Prior employment was with the City of Battle Creek and Calhoun County.Quenten had a strong passion for animals and nature and enjoyed his farm tremendously. Quenten was an accomplished equestrian and loved raising, riding and caring for his horses. Over the years, he bred and raised longhorn steers, Black Angus cows, chickens, and the dreaded turkey. For Quenten, there was no better day than one spent on the back porch looking out over the land.Quenten was an active member of Union City United Methodist Church Church. He served a term on the Board of Trustees and was a certified lay speaker. Quenten started an "Old Guys" breakfast as a weekly opportunity for fellowship.Quenten is survived by his wife Martha; step-children Todd (Colene) Johnson of Rockford, Michigan and Jason (Charity) Sutherland of Tremont, Mississippi; 4 grandchildren; sisters Karen (Richard) Litwiller and Marilyn (Richard) Whetstone of Goshen, Indiana; brother Kenneth of Burlington; numerous nieces and nephews. Quenten truly enjoyed his extended Brecheisen family and hosting family dinners at the farm. He will be missed by special pets, dogs Leaha and Luke.Visitation will be 6:00-8:00PM Friday at Craig Kempf Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 723 Old US 27 N., Marshall, MI. Services celebrating Quenten's life will be held at 3:30PM on Saturday with visitation prior to services from 2:30 to 3:30PM at the Union City United Methodist Church with Pastor Rob Hughes officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Union City.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Union City United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.