Nancy Jane (Peyton) Yohe died peacefully at home on August 4, 2023, at the age of 85. She was born December 18, 1937, in Muncie, IN, the daughter of Lester Elwood and Mabel Irene (Bennington) Peyton. On June 24, 1961, she married James Michael "Mike" Yohe, son of Gail Robert and Martha Louise (Tryon) Yohe. Nancy leaves her husband of 62 years; daughters: Susan (Robert) Prusator, Marilyn Yohe, and Ann (Joseph) Alton; grandchildren: Ryan (Emily) Prusator, Katherine (Dustin) Wakeman, and Samantha Yohe; sister, Patricia (Peyton) (David) Stiver; sister-in-law, Gail (David) Yohe Kreider; and three nieces and two nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister Julia (neonatally).
Nancy grew up in Terre Haute, IN, but moved to Richmond after her sophomore year in high school. She earned her BA in mathematics and physics from Hanover College in 1959; taught middle school mathematics in Cincinnati in 1959-60; and entered graduate school at the University of Wisconsin - Madison in the fall of 1960. Marriage supplanted her graduate schooling, and she was a stay-at-home Mom until 1986. In the fall of 1990, she joined the staff of The World's Window, a fair-trade gift store in Cedar Falls, IA, and became manager a year later. Upon moving to Valparaiso in 1996, she became manager of the Friends Museum Store in the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University, retiring from that position in 2003.
She enjoyed nature and the out-of-doors, making numerous trips with family and friends to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota over the years; classical music; art; and physical activity. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Valparaiso, P.E.O., and Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a passionate advocate of fair trade, which seeks to assure artisans in developing countries of a market for their products and fair compensation for their labors.
Her body was cremated, and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 103 Franklin St., Valparaiso, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/live/Xc-VEklF8Ug?feature=share In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Porter County Community Foundation to benefit the endowment fund of First United Methodist Church or Housing Opportunities, Inc.
GUESTBOOK
To Mike, Marilyn, Ann, Susan and families: We send our deepest regards to you all. While it was time to let her go, this is never easy. What a beautiful legacy she leaves behind her. We pray you will in time find some comfort in that. -Kathy Yohn and Tom Weaver
This is one of my sweetest and most memorable residents that I was blessed to care for even though it was just a short time. I wish all the love to those who have lost her, what a great lady. -Britney Mitchell, Avalon Springs
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Praying for you and your family for strength and peace during this difficult time. -Joan McPherson
I’m sorry to learn of Nancy’s death. She was such a talented and bright person with a wonderful smile. Blessings to your family, -Sue C Cain
