LaDonna Viola Yoder

LaDonna Viola (Smith) Yoder, 88, of Rockford, OH passed away Thursday January 29, 2026 at Ohio Health Van Wert in Van Wert, OH. She was born October 16, 1937 in Bedford, PA and was the daughter of the late Claire and Bertha (Foor) Smith.

LaDonna was a self taught cake decorator, lending her talents to various area grocery stores and businesses. She was a member of New Horizons Community Church in Rockford, OH. LaDonna enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a fan of all sports, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers and The Ohio State Buckeyes.

Surviving are two children; Steven (Denise Kreischer) Sell of Decatur, IN, and Rona Long of Celina, OH; her brother, Roger Smith of Bedford, PA; sister, Sandy (Robert) Clark of Altoona, PA; brother in law, Jim Oravec of Everett, PA; sister in law, Sara Smith of Bedford, PA; six grandchildren, Josh (Keri) Salway, Jake (Amy) Long, Andy (Amber) Long, Zachary (Terra) Sell, Dillon (Alicia) Long, and Brandon Sell; seventeen great grandchildren, Jordan (Brittney) Arnold, Dylan (Desiree) Arnold, Sophia Salway, Everett Salway, Karigan Lichtenstiger, Ainsley Long, Braylin Long, Easton Salway, Elliott Salway, Liam Long, Blake Morsey, Kolten Long, Palmer Long, Lily Long, and Emmitt Salway; four great great grandchildren, Clementine, Lainey, Jensen, and a baby on the way; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, LaDonna was preceded in death by her sisters, Judy Smith and Velma "Hobby" Oravec; and her brother, Norman Smith.

The family will receive visitors from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Ketcham Ripley Funeral Home, 111 West First Street, Rockford, OH 45882. LaDonna will then be taken to Pennsylvania for services and burial. There will be a visitation from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm Friday, February 6, 2026 at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, 214 South Julianna Street, Bedford, PA 15522. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 pm Friday, February 6 at the funeral home, with Pastor David Howe officiating. Burial will follow at Bedford County Memorial Park, 4426 Business 220, Bedford, PA 15522.

Memorial contributions in LaDonna's memory may be given to the Lupus Foundation of America, 2121 K Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20037.

Online condolences may be shared at www.ketchamripley.com.

Services have been entrusted to Ketcham Ripley Funeral Home, 111 West First Street, Rockford, OH 45882, and Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, 214 S. Julianna St., Bedford, PA 15522.