Dayton, Robert Parker (1894-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 23 p. 9

Birth date: 1894 Mar 4

text of obituary:

ROBERT P. DAYTON

Robert Parker Dayton of Route 1, Ridgeley, W. Va., son of Patrick M. and Amanda (Wagoner) Dayton, was born March 4, 1894; departed this life May 29, 1953, in Memorial hospital, Cumberland Md., age 59 years, two month and 25 days. Bro. Dayton had eight successful major abdominal operations within the last 25 years which gave him temporary relief and his death occurred following another operation May 27. In February 1953 he had a severe virus intestinal infection from which he never fully recovered.

In 1919 he was married to Rhoda Catherine Yoder and to this union were born six sons and three daughters, all of whom survive: Anna, Mrs. Vernon Bishop Doylestown, Pa.; Virginia, Mrs. Carl Moreland, Pinto, Md.; David, Pinto, Md.; Calvin, John, Lois, Robert, Arthur, and Phillip, at home. He is also survived by one brother, Oliver of Route 2, Keyser, W. Va.; four sisters, Mrs. Blanche Nottingham, Paw Paw, W. Va., Mrs. Fred Borror, Route 1, Ridgeley, W. Va., Mrs. Luther Snyder, Cockeysville, Md., Mrs. Turner Blackwell, Hanover, Md. and eight grandchildren.

In his early youth he received Christ as his personal Saviour and united with the Methodist church. In 1928 he became affiliated with the Mennonite Church and on October 19, 1930, was ordained to the ministry.

Bro. Dayton labored faithfully in his calling, often under great physical handicaps. He had great zeal and enthusiasm in his ministry and was looking forward to opening a new mission enterprise in Wiley Ford, W. Va., where tract of land had been deeded to the Mennonite Church, in Bro. Dayton's trusteeship for a church and cemetery of his own precious faith. He was associate pastor of the Pinto church and summer Bible school director for the past three years and anticipated serving his fourth year. He operated a station wagon and transported 18 children to the Pinto church, of whom six became Christians in the last year. He served on the district mission board and was also on the Johnstown Bible School board. He sang in the Pinto Men’s chorus and often preached for neighboring churches and was outstanding in his personal contacts. He retained a milk route from his farm which gave him contacts with many people. As one customer expressed it, “He was our milkman but he was more than that, an understanding friend who often encouraged us.”

He left a brilliant testimony to his loved ones as life was ebbing away. The beautiful “going home” that he experienced has been great comfort to his beloved companion who so faithfully stood by. The church has lost an active laborer, but is humbly submitting to God’s will and is praying for someone to take over where Bro. Dayton’s labors ceased.

A brief service was conducted at the home on June 1 by Alonza Harmon, Methodist minister, and final services at the Pinto Mennonite church in charge of C. M. Helmick assisted by Roy Otto, Richard Martin, and Aaron Mast, with burial in the Pinto Cemetery. Bro. Helmick used as his text Romans 8:37, “For we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." This Scripture Bro Dayton quoted over and over in his last moments.

The ordained men of the church district and community were honorary pallbearers and nephews were active pallbearers.