John Ronald Yordy died peacefully at his Pekin home on Jan. 10, 2022.
He was 86. John was born March 22, 1935, in Morton, the son of the late Robert and Elsie (Eigsti) Yordy of Morton. He grew up on the Yordy Turkey Farm with his siblings, Dan Yordy, Eleanor (Dooner) and Jewell (Coleman) and began farming at an early age.
Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and served two years, including time in Korea as a medic. In 1958, he married Norma Jean Slack, daughter of the late Glen and Hazel (Bennett) Slack, at Morton Mennonite Church. Together John and Norma raised four children on their farm on Unsicker Road.
John earned his ministerial certification in 1979 at Christian Retreat in Bradenton, Fla. He founded Logos Ministries, a non-denominational church and K-12 school, which met in a renovated barn on his farm. An expansion came a few years later with the construction of an adjacent facility, which is now home to Cornerstone Baptist Church. John had a deep passion for ministering to the homeless community in Peoria. He also went on multiple mission trips to feed the poor and share the Gospel, including 13 mission trips to the poorest regions of Jamaica. He regularly brought comfort and spiritual support to neighbors, friends and strangers in nursing homes, hospitals and prisons across Central Illinois.He was a talented artist and an avid woodworker. He especially enjoyed crafting toys for his five grandsons. He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his three siblings; his wife, Norma; his son David Yordy (Pekin); daughter Charlotte Waldon, her sons Ashford and Drake, and her fiancé John Arena (Naples, Fla.); daughter Jean Grant, her husband Rupert and sons Jackson and Isaiah (South Pasadena, Calif.); and daughter Joan Yordy Brasher and her son Jack Henry Brasher (Nashville, Tenn.) Arrangements are by Davis-Oswald Funeral Home.
Donations in his memory and letters of condolence may be sent to Lighthouse Church of God, 1010 El Camino Rd., Pekin, Ill. 61554.
A memorial service celebrating John’s life will take place later this year.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of John R. Yordy, please visit our floral store.