Edward "Ed" John Yoder, Spearfish, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006, at the Dorsett Health Care Facility in Spearfish.

Visitation was from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006 at the Christian Fellowship Church in Newell, with Pastor Sean Carney officiating. Burial will follow with Masonic Graveside Rites at the Hope Cemetery in Newell.

Ed was born March 19, 1915 at Roslyn, to Martin and Anna Sattler. At an early age due to circumstances he was adopted by Frank and Alce (Goodwin) Yoder and grew up in the Newell area. He graduated from Newell High School in 1934. He farmed in the Newell area with his parents.

On Dec. 24, 1934 he married Velma Vada Holtry. They farmed north of Newell. In 1949 they purchased a filling station in Newell.

Ed also drove a school bus route for several years.

In 1950 they moved to Fort Pierre, where he owned a cocktail lounge and in 1953 they moved to Alaska, where Ed worked on the "DEW Line."

They moved in 1967 to Eagle Butte, where Ed was the police chief. He also resumed his career hunting rattlesnakes.

In 1975, they returned to Alaska to work on the Alaska pipeline and returned to Newell in 1978. Again, Ed resumed hunting rattlesnakes.

In 1985, they retired to Spearfish. Ed volunteered many hours at the NVN and Spearfish Senior Centers. He was active in the Butte County Historical Society for many years, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for 70 years, the Masonic Lodge, and Shriners.

Survivors include two sons, Dale Yoder and his wife Jeanne, Fairbanks, Alaska, and Paul Yoder and his wife Darlene, Camas Valley, Ore.; one daughter, Georgia Collins and her husband L. Eugene, Spearfish; two brothers and their wives, Alfred and Gladys Sattler, North Liberty, Ind., and Harry and Bea Sattler, Fife Lake, Mich; also 15 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, six step-great grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and four step-great-great-grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews, and one sister in law, Betty Bear of Elko, Nev., also survive.

He was preceded in death by both sets of parents, five brothers, four sisters, one daughter-in-law, one grandson, one step-grandson, one grand son-in-law, and his beloved wife Velma in November 2003.