My name is Justice D. Yoder, and I am 26 years old. I am a son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, and a caretaker at CRSI for developmentally disabled men. I have this goofy personality and a wicked sense of humor with a zest for life. My family and my friends each have all these stories of my crazy dance moves and my witty humor. According to my dad, my nickname as a child was Barn because of all the destruction I caused.
I was born Oct. 22, 1993 in Bellefontaine to Randi Haynes and Lynn Yoder. I attended Bellefontaine High School and graduated in 2012. I am survived by my parents, Randi (Brent Retterer) Haynes of Prospect, and Lynn (Susie) Yoder of Bellefontaine; my maternal grandmother, Penny Freeman Butts of West Liberty; my maternal great-grandmother, Audrey Freeman-Hollingsworth of Oklahoma; my uncles, Larry (Heather) Yoder, Kris (Angie) Haynes; and my aunt, Paige (Joe) Pequignot all of Bellefontaine.
Even though I was born an only child I was blessed with a big extended family. This extended family includes my brothers, Dustin (Faye Harriman) Retterer, Josh (Amanda) Retterer, Colton Retterer and Blaze Clark; and my sisters, Caitlin (Tyson) Gantz, Kelsey (Pat) Basso, Christy (Nick) May, and Rachael (Dustin) Johnson. I am also survived by loving step-grandparents, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of longtime friends.
I was preceded in death by my paternal grandparents, Darrell and Phyllis Yoder, my paternal great-grandmother, Oma Williams, and my maternal grandfather, David Butts.
On Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, I went into a sudden cardiac arrest in my home. I spent until December 1, 2019 at The OSU Medical Center. My parents knew that I loved helping other people. They knew that I would want to be an organ donor. As an organ donor I was able to give a gift to those that would carry on a part of me. With my donation, I saved six lives. Isn’t that amazing? I am also the first person to donate a heart of a circulatory death in the United States. So not only am I a hero, I made medical history.
We are having a party to celebrate my life, at a location yet to be announced, Dec. 15, 2019, from 2 to 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, I am asking for donations to Lifeline of Ohio. You may make your donation at www.lifelineofohio.org/contribute -to-lifeline-of-Ohio.
From his family: This young man was the shining light and beacon of hope for his family and friends. Justice supported, loved, and lived fiercely with the strength he will carry on in his next journey. Even though we will miss him, we know a part of him lives on. This truly provides us comfort. He was an extraordinary young man.