Martin, Eliza Ellen Yoder (1886-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Sep 11 p. 9

Birth date: 1886 Sep 8

text of obituary:

MRS. ELIZA E. MARTIN

Mrs. Eliza Ellen Martin, 65, of 1121 Seymour Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa died at University hospital at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 1952 following an illness of about six months.

She was born near Parnell in Iowa county September 8, 1886, daughter of Annanias [sic Ananias] and Susan Stutzman Yoder. She grew up in that community and was married December 8, 1904, to John Martin.

The couple lived on a farm in Iowa county following their marriage until December 1939, when they moved to Iowa City.

She was a member of the West Union Mennonite church before moving to Iowa City, and then became a member of the Iowa City Mennonite mission to which church she was faithful until death.

She is survived by her husband, John; a son, Walter, Iowa City; a daughter, Mrs. Roy Buckwalter, a foster daughter, Mrs. Joe Christner, Iowa City, and nine grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. Sam Fisher, Wellman, and three brothers, Henry Yoder, Parnell, Artmus Yoder, Iowa City, and Melvin Yoder, Wellman, also survive.

Two sisters and two brothers preceded her in death. Mrs. Martin was a kind and loving wife and mother, having a tender heart and forgiving spirit. She was a true servant of Christ and her daily communion with God proved very beneficial in her time of suffering.

Her motto in life was '‘others’' and one proof of this was that during a period of time she took into her home some 70 unfortunate and crippled children from the State Welfare Board. These she loved and cared for as her very own. She had the joy and privilege of seeing a number of these accept Christ as their Saviour.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 pm. Friday, May 2, 1952, at the Oathout funeral chapel followed by another service at the East Union Mennonite church at 2:00 p.m. The body was laid to rest in the East Union cemetery.

Those in charge of the services at the funeral home and church were Brethren Leroy Kennel, Iowa City, George S. Miller, Wellman and Dan Fisher, Kalona. The male quartet furnishing the music was comprised of Wesley Yoder, Ray Yoder, Emery Hoschstettler and Orval Kinsinger.

Ernest Yoder, Glenn Yoder, Arnold Yoder, Francis Yoder, Jacob Yoder and Orval Yoder, nephews of Mrs. Martin, served as pall bearers.