FAIRMONT — When the five-member Yoho family learned that they were selected as 2008’s Times West Virginian Family of the Year, they were all very surprised.

Mannington residents Steve and Karen Yoho and their three daughters, 26-year-old Stephanie, 24-year-old Heather, and 19-year-old Kristin, never dreamed that the things they naturally do in their everyday lives — which includes teaching within the Marion County school system and serving with their church and 4-H — would ever win them a title like family of the year.

But those who know them have very different opinions. Words like “wonderful,” “outstanding,” “friendly,” “positive,” and “humble,” among others, were all used to describe the Yohos by the five people who nominated them for this annual title.

“They are just wonderful people,” Marion County 4-H leader Louise Donato said of the family.

Donato and fellow 4-H leader Joyce Thomas have worked with Karen and her daughters in the local service organization, which the family has been involved with in some capacity for the past 17 years.

Donato also worked with Karen at her former job at the Marion County Technical Center, and has known the family for the past 12-plus years.

The letter submitted by Donato and Thomas describes the Yohos as a “united family” and lists some of the exemplary things the family does within the community.

This includes conducting a week-long summer math camp for the past 15 years; teaching Bible classes at their church, the Mannington Church of Christ; volunteering with the Fairview 4-H; playing in the Fairview Community Band; and supporting and serving within the North Marion High School Band and the Notables among other religious and community service projects.

“The family is liked and respected across age lines,” Donato and Thomas’ letter states. “They are wonderful friends, neighbors, and community members. When they say they will do something, you can count on no less than 100 percent commitment.”

Thomas also said the family is very conscientious and dedicated to everything they do.

“When they do something, they do it excellently,” Thomas said. “All of the organizations they are in, they are devoted to them.”

Becky Brown has known the Yohos for more than 20 years and was one of the other individuals who nominated the family for the Family of the Year title. Brown said she met Karen years ago while the two worked together at Mannington Elementary School before Karen’s daughters were born.

Brown also has daughters who grew up with the Yohos, so she has known them all of their lives as well.

“To me, they’re what family means,” Brown said. “I think they’re well deserving, humble people, and I’m happy you picked them.”

Michael P. Reese, minister for the Mannington Church of Christ, and Merle “Pete” Cole, elder at the church, also submitted a letter that explained why the Yohos should be chosen as family of the year.

As members of the Mannington Church of Christ, the Yohos are well-known by Reese, Cole and the other members and parishioners of the church.

Steve has actually served as an elder for the past three years, and he and all of the girls still teach Bible classes for the younger children. Karen also helps out with the classes when she can. Stephanie, Heather and Kristin also serve as counselors at the West Virginia Christian Youth Camp each summer.

“When a Godly family is considered, certainly the Steve and Karen Yoho family would come to mind,” The letter from Reese and Cole states.

The letter goes on to explain how well-liked the three girls are within the church by the young parishioners they work with and how good of a rapport Steve and Karen have with all of the church members.

“Strong families are the very foundation of the church and this great nation,” the letter said. “The Steve and Karen Yoho family epitomizes what makes both the church and our country strong.”

An in-depth look at the Yoho family will be featured in Sunday’s Times West Virginian.

E-mail Mallory Panuska at mpanuska@timeswv.com.

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