Cathy Yontz

Cathy Jo Shepherd Yontz went home to Jesus on June 30, 2025 at the age of 80. She was surrounded by her loving family. She is now at peace in the arms of her Savior. She was a faithful servant of the Lord. She was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio on October 13, 1944 to Velma Gene Dolen Shepherd and Lindsay Kirk Shepherd. She leaves behind her beloved husband, William Arlin Yontz. Bill and Cathy were married for 60 years. He was the love of her life. Through this union of two only children, a legacy has been created. They have three wonderful daughters: Gina & Jimmy Yerian, Christina Yontz & Bill Epperson, and Paula Yontz. Through these daughters they were blessed with eight loving grandchildren: Cody Huff & Jess Guess, Ethan & Sadie Yontz, Chase Huff, Eden & Wyatt Feldner, Estee & Gunnar Daymut, Lexy Huff & Dom Bolasky, Emme Mudge & Remi Pickens, and Parker Yontz. These grandchildren gave them eleven great-grandchildren: Landen Huff, Elliot Yontz, Emery Yontz, Harper Huff, Jensen Huff, Charlie Feldner, Malakai Bolasky, Ezekiel Yontz, Colby Feldner, Enzo Yontz, Avie Daymut, and two more due in August: Baby Feldner and Baby Bolasky. She will be giving them all of her love until she helps to send them earth-side.

Cathy was a wonderful friend and had so many close friends that it would be impossible to mention them all. However, they all know how important and special they were to her. She never failed to mention the great friends that she had, considering them members of her extended family.

She was a 1962 graduate from Cambridge High School. She then went on to graduate from Mount Carmel School of Nursing’s diploma program in 1965. She became a Registered Nurse and touched so many lives. While working for over 30 years, her light has shown on countless patients, young nurses and colleagues. She began her career at Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus, then transitioned to Guernsey Memorial Hospital at 10th Street in Cambridge, and ultimately retired from SEORMC in Cambridge. She was a charge nurse on 4 South, the surgical floor, for the majority of her career then finished her journey as a nurse as the head of infection control. She was part of creating another legacy by helping eight members of her family to follow in her footsteps to become Registered Nurses as well.

Reading was her favorite pastime; she never left the house without a book. She filled her in-home library and would easily finish a novel in a single day (even if she had to stay up all night to do it). She loved to work on jigsaw puzzles. There was always one spread out on the dining room table for anyone to put in a piece, or three, while they visited. She was a big fan of Ohio State and loved to cheer them on. She even taught her bird Chico to say “GO BUCKS!” She cherished the family dogs over the years and has been reunited with Schatzi, Baron and Coco. She had a black belt in shopping so her mail box was never empty. She loved to plant flowers and tend to her garden. She was a great dancer and loved to jitterbug and learn line dances. There isn’t a single grandchild that she didn’t help to study, write a paper, or complete a project for school. She never complained, even if the deadline was the next morning (being a night owl was a huge help). She enjoyed a good adventure; like an outing to a tea house or trying a new restaurant. She was a thoughtful gift giver and always made sure it was meaningful to the person on her mind. She was quick with a card, writing a heartfelt note in her beautiful handwriting. At Christmastime she would routinely send out over 300 cards to those she held dear. She loved hard candy, her favorite was anise, and she always had a can of Diet Coke or a slush on hand.

Cathy and Bill were snowbirds during the winter months, spending the season in Florida enjoying the sun, the palm trees, and the tropical weather. Among their many adventures together, they were the owners of the legendary Village Pizza in Byesville.

She was a longtime member of Stop 9 Church of Christ in Byesville. She considered it one of her greatest missions in life to spread the word of Jesus and the promise of Heaven to those who follow Him. As much as we will miss her beautiful smile and radiant personality, we know she is celebrating a life well lived with God and her heavenly family by her side. She has been restored and will live on with us through the love and memories that can never be lost.

The family would like to an extend a sincere thank you to her team of nurses and caretakers during the final stretch of her journey. Especially to her cousin, Brenda Neuhart, for all of her loving care and the time she spent with her.

Her life will be celebrated on Friday (July 4, 2025) at the Stop 9 Church of Christ, Byesville, with visitation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. with Evan. Woody Biggs officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Byesville. Black-Epperson Funeral Home, Byesville, is handling arrangements.

Personal condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.black-eppersonfuneralhomes.com