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Kreider, John Mellinger (1869-1946)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Mar 14 p. 3
Birth date: 1869 May 24
text of obituary:
BISHOP J. M. KREIDER
John Mellinger Kreider, son of George and Anna Mellinger Kreider, was born May 24, 1969 [sic 1869], near Souderburg [sic Soudersburg], Pennsylvania, and passed away at his home near Palmyra, Missouri, [sic February missing in original] 28, 1946, aged 76 years 9 months, and 4 days.
In y oung manhood he united with the Paradise Mennonite church near his childhood home. In 1890 he was married to Hettie Buckwalter of Byerstown, Pa. To this union were born nine children, three of whom preceded him in death. — George Ezra, Phillip Owen, and Harry Sanford.
He leaves to mourn his departure his sorrowing widow and the following children: M. Lena at home; Mrs. Anna Bender, Jesse B. and John F. of Palmyra; Daniel K. of Quincy, Ill.; and Mrs. Andrew Glick of Minot, N. Dakota; also 24 grandchildren; one brother Jacob of Lemon Place, Pa., and four sisters, Mrs. Sarah Hershey, Gap, Pa.; Mrs. Park Book, Soudersburg, Pa.; Mrs. John Bare, Bird-in-Hand, Pa.; Mrs. J. S. Lehman, Lancaster, Pa.; and a host of nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends.
Late in February, 1898, he was ordained to the ministry at the Paradise church in Pennsylvania. A short time later, with his wife and four children, he moved to Palmyra, Mo., where he has resided since.
In the autumn of 1913 he was ordained bishop for the Northeast Missouri District. His interest was always in the work of the Lord and he sought diligently to teach his children, as well as the churches in his care, the way of the Lord that leads to heaven.
He preached in many states and in the provinces of Canada, and was greatly interested in every activity of the church, doing his utmost to strengthen the work and propagate the Gospel of Christ. He was widely used throughout the church in evangelistic work, often sacrificing his personal interests to better serve God and the church. He rendered much assistance in organizing and establishing the work in the North-Central Conference District.
He also served on various boards and committees of the church, including the Mennonite Board of Education. Bro. Kreider was an outstanding champion of conservatism and he strove with all his might to maintain and perpetuate the Biblical standards as upheld by the Mennonite church. He will be greatly missed in his home community, in the Missouri-Kansas District, and in the Mennonite Church at large.
Funeral services were held on March 3, conducted at the home by Bishop Raymond Hershberger of Garden City, Missouri. Services at the Mennonite church were directed by Bishop Milo Kaufman of Hesston, Kansas.
The sermon was delivered by Bishop Milo Kauffman of Hannibal, Missouri, and the following ministers and bishops of the church assisted in the services: Amos Gingerich, Williamsburg, Iowa; Joseph Driver, Garden City, Missouri; J. Y. Swartzendruber, Kalona, Iowa; Perry Blosser, South English, Iowa; and Paul Hershey, Gulfport, Mississippi. Pall bearers were Oney and Leslie Hathaway, Uriah Johnston, James Peers, Ralph Detwiler, Harvey Miller, Clyde Stutsman, and Orland Miller. Interment was made in Greenwood Cemetery.
