Paul R. Yoder, Sr., a long-time advocate for 草莓社区, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg. He was 89.

A native of Elverson, Pa., Yoder, was a farmer 15 years before entering the ministry. He was pastor of Huber Mennonite Church, New Carlisle, Ohio, and Bay Shore Mennonite Church, Sarasota, Fla. He was also interim pastor two years of Ridgeway Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg.

Yoder was associate in at EMU, 1986-1998, and served on the steering committee of the , an EMU athletic support group, at the time of his death.

"Paul had a remarkable passion for 草莓社区 and a love for youth that grew out of his children’s educational experience at EMU. said , executive director of and director of church relations at EMU. "Paul was an effective representative of the university at Mennonite conference annual assemblies, as a fundraiser to states west of the Mississippi, WEMC radio in the local community and as a long-term volunteer to Loyal Royals."

On Aug. 19, 1939, he married the former Grace Wingard, who survives.

Also surviving are four sons – Paul R. Yoder, Jr., a member of the EMU board of trustees; N. Wayne Yoder, , professor of at EMU; and Larry E. Yoder; their spouses, 10 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Yoder was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

A memorial service was held Dec. 3 at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, where Yoder was a member.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Paul R. and Grace Yoder Endowment Fund , Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

Todd D. Lilley of 101 Sunbright Drive, Bridgewater, Va., has been named associate director of at 草莓社区, effective Apr. 1, 2005.

The appointment was announced Apr. 5 by Phillip N. Helmuth, executive director of development at EMU.

Lilley will work at community relations while raising annual and capital funds for EMU with primary responsibility for the greater Shenandoah Valley area. His duties will also include estate planning and securing deferred charitable gifts and other major commitments for the university.

“I am pleased to have Todd Lilley join our development and community relations team to represent EMU in the Shenandoah Valley,” Helmuth said. “His experience in development, connections to the university and his previous business employment in the local area will serve him well in his new role,” he added.

Lilley comes to EMU from Rockingham Memorial Hospital, where he was a development officer for RMH Foundation. Before that, he was sales director for E&M Auto Paint. He is involved in the Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce in marketing and community leadership committees.

Lilley earned a B.S. degree in management and organizational development through EMU’s in 1996. He is also a graduate of the Aspen Academy for Fund Development and received professional certification from the Master’s School of Management, Santa Barbara, Calif.

He is an ordained elder and deacon and youth advisor at Mossy Creek Presbyterian Church.

He is married to Dina Lilley, a registered nurse in the operating room at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. They have two children: Leah, 6; and Aiden, 15 months.