Yoder, Lillian (1905-1924)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1924 Aug 12 p. 1

Birth date: 1905

text of obituary:

INDIANA FAMILY IN TRAGIC WRECK.

One Fatally Injured When Auto Strikes Interurban Cars

Adams County Witness

The funeral services of Miss Lillian Yoder, of Berne, who accidently met death at about 7:30 o'clock on Monday forenoon when her father's car, in which she was riding, struck an interurban work-train about five miles east of Logansport, will be held east of Logansport [sic], was held Thursday afternoon at the local Mennonite church. Although Miss Yoder, aged 19, was a member of the Defenseless Mennonite church west of Berne, her last rites were held at the local church through the many requests of her friends in this community, who would have been unable to attend the funeral out of town to pay tribute to her, and because the Defenseless church would have been too small to hold the friends who wished to attend.

The service was one of the largest or possibly the largest week-day funeral that was ever held in Berne. The church which seats two thousand persons, was practically filled.

After the flower laden casket had been placed at the foot of the pulpit, the employes [sic] of the Berne Mfg. Co., among whom the young lady had been a member, interrupted the solemn silence by singing, "Safe in the Arms of Jesus."

Rev. Bill Lantz, pastor of the Defenseless Mennonite church then read the Scripture message and offered prayer. This was followed with another song by a male quartet of that church. the sermons were preached by Rev. Lantz, who gave a message in German and Rev. Schroeder, who spoke in the English language. A mixed quartet of the local church also sang a song of comfort and cheer to the bereaved family.

Nearly forty minutes were needed until everyone had viewed the body. The remains were interred in the Defenseless Mennonite church cemetery west of Berne.

The mother, Mrs. John Yoder, who is seriously injured as a result of the accident, was unable to attend her daughter's funeral. Although still serious, she is reported to be improving, her physician states. She is badly bruised and it is thought that one or probably several ribs are broken. About two months ago she sustained a fracture of her left collar bone in a fall. A full recovery is expected.

Mr. Yoder is also bruised but only about the right knee and complains little pain. He is able to be up and around and has not noticed much pain up to this time, possibly largely due to shock and sorrow.

Mr. and Mrs. Yoder and their daughter, were enroute to Chenoa, Ill., to visit their daughter and sister, Mrs. Bessie Litwiller, who lives on a farm near that place.

They had gone as far as Peru, where a detour from state highway No. 7 had to be made. It was on this detour, it is said, that the disaster took place. The mileage on the Ford sedan showed that they had traveled about 90 miles.