Margaret “Peggy” Bates Yoder, 71, of Wooster died on Monday, September 7, 2026 at Akron Summa Hospital.
She was born November 8, 1954 in Wooster to Roy S. and Velma Bates.
Peggy taught school for over 35 years at Northwestern Middle School. While she never had children of her own, in so many ways she had hundreds of children through her 35 years of teaching. She loved every child she taught and considered them a part of her. Peggy wasn’t just a teacher who taught lessons from a book-she truly cared about her students, believed in them and made a difference in their lives. She carried a piece of them in her heart. Peggy was a fabulous teacher and an even more wonderful person.
Peggy is survived by her husband, David Yoder; sister Linda Esber; nieces Amanda (Eric) Zaugg and Amy (Matt) Holmes; great nephews Noah and Caleb Zaugg and Jackson and Sutton Holmes;
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother-in-law Mike Esber.
Private graveside services will be held in Reedsburg Cemetery.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Contributions may be directed to Roy S. Bates Scholarship Fund. Checks made payable to Wayne County Community Foundation, 302 E. Liberty St., Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
I am so sorry to hear this!
She was a classmate and fellow cheerleader.
Prayers for family and friends.
Peggy was one of my students and part of many plays in the 4 years I taught her. She then taught my children. Way too youngher to leave us but Im certain Her mother and father are greeting her now. I’ll miss having in our world. And Linda you are in my prayers for comfort and comfort in the many memories of your sister.
To Peggy and husband:
My condolences. Peggy is now at rest. I know, as she & I talked quite a bit after Velma passed away….
She was always one of my great friends at Northwestern high school and throughout our years together
in Greater New Pittsburg!
My prayers to David and her sister, Linda who was in my class
GOD”S LOVE,
JIMMY APPLEMAN
PS: I pray Linda gets back for the service. She is in Scotland.
Peggy will surely be missed by a lot of us, and not just because we knew her, but because she was truly a great person. The foundation alone speaks volumes about how she kept it running and how many scholarships they gave out. In her demise, their name will live on, and many students will continue getting great education and become great Americans. Thank you, Peggy.
Oh David I am so sorry for your loss. I ready did enjoy working with Peggy at Northwestern Jr. High. Her kids truly love her. Peggy made learning fun for her kids. Peggy will be missed. Such a Great Loss.
I was a good friend of Peggy back in the day. Her previous husband (Danny Way) and my husband (Richard Berner) were business partners long ago and Richard still owns AC Electric. We had many good times with Peggy and she was the host of the baby shower for our first daughter. She was always so kind and beautiful and she had a style I always envied! I send my deepest sympathy to her family.
I’m sending my sympathy to all of her family & close friends. She was one of my favorite teachers in middle school. Her classroom was right beside my mom’s classroom when the MS was in congress so I got to see her before & after school everyday while I was in 7th & 8th grade. She was always so interested in how my day went and always greeted me with a smile!
She was wonderful person who will be missed.
Sending my deepest sympathy to Amy, Amanda, and Linda.
Peggy, fond memories of many years of friendship.
Bless you for adding so much good to so many students.
We had lots of fun and made lots of good times way back when we were in high school.
Rest now and enjoy the next life.
Hugs.
Barry
She was one of my favorite teachers in middle school. Always had a smile on her face and was an encourager for her students. May God’s peace be with the family at this difficult time.
I waited on Peggy at the bank. She was one of my favorite customers. So sorry to hear of her passing. Prayers to her family and friends.
She was an amazing teacher sorry to hear about her passing
My kids loved her as a teacher! She was such a unique person and full of kindness. The Bates’ gave a lot to the community and through the scholarship program. Rest in peace, Peggy
Peggy, was a teacher of mine at Northwestern and volunteered several times at Westview Reading to the folks in the dementia unit. She read from a book her mother would read to her as a child. She had a loving heart and will be missed. May the Lord Jesus Christ comfort her friends and family.
Sending hugs, prayers and sympathy to Linda, Amanda and Amy.
Prayers to David, Linda and Peggy’s close friends. I have many good memories of Peggy, I always found here full of happiness. May she rest in peace.
To Peggy’s family,
As a former neighbor of the Bate’s family I grew up with the family. Peggy will aways have a spot in my heart. We had many wonderful times together.
Rest in peace.
Enjoyed her class at Congress Jr. High! Always appreciated catching up with her when she’d come to Emanuel Church on holidays.
Such fond memories of this wonderful lady. She was more than a teacher- she truly cared for her students and took the time to listen and mentor.
Loved running into her as an adult. We had great conversations and laughed while we reminisced.
She will always be remembered for the many lives she touched.
Sending many prayers and much love to her family. May she rest in peace.
Peggy was a great teacher, lady, and later friend as I become an adult and she taught my own daughter too. When I came to Parent-Teacher conference, she jumped up, gave me hug, and said ” I knew ‘Helen Hunt’ (what she called my girl) was your daughter – she looks just like you did when I had you in Jr High at Congress.” She was a true Husky through and through~! RIP – You will all be in my prayers!
Oh, I’m so sad to hear this! I grew up with Peggy. The first time I ever stayed up all night was at Peggy’s house – a weird experience I’ll never forget. I would get back to the reunions when I could and always hoped to see her but never did. So I haven’t seen her since high school. It’s nice to read that she had a good life and was such a positive force in so many children’s lives. Rest in peace, Peggy.
To a small part time we all,get on this world is the loss of someone who was a special 🕯️ gone but her light will shine through all the lives she tuched❣️
I had Peggy as my history teacher while I was in Congress Junior High. I knew her as Mrs. Way. I enjoyed her classes and she will be surely missed! My deepest sympathy and condolences to her family.
So sorry to hear this.Peggy was so nice and sometimes really funny.That is a beautiful picture of her that was in the paper.Lifting up her family and friends in prayer.
David I am so sorry to hear about Peggy. My condolences go out to you
Sending heartfelt sympathy to Peggy’s family. I met Peggy back in 2007 when she moved to Wooster. May her zeal for learning, and her kindness live on in all whom Peggy met.