Yoder, Leon Clair (1942-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Apr 15 p. 3

Birth date: 1942

text of obituary:

Former Pax Worker In Indonesia Dies

Goshen, Ind. — A largely attended funeral took place at the Shore Mennonite Church near Shipshewana on April 7 as services were held for Leon Clair Yoder, 23, until recently a Pax worker in Indonesia under the Mennonite Central Committee.

The young man, who had been Pax coordinator for the MCC in Java, became ill with skin cancer about three months ago. He was flown from Indonesia to Evanston, Ill. and later transferred to the Goshen Hospital where he died April 5. He had served in the Far East for 17 months.

A native of Shipshewana, he was the son of Ora M. and Grace (Smeltzer) Yoder, and was a graduate of Bethey [sic Bethany] Christian High School and of Goshen College.

Surviving in addition to his parents are a brother, Dr. Marion Yoder of Akron, Ohio, and two sisters, Janet and Elaine of the home.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Apr 29 p. 11

text of obituary:

DIED OF MALIGNANCY

Paxman Was Dedicated To Work in Indonesia By Wilbert Shenk Assistant Director MCC Overseas Services

Akron, Pa. — In the providence of God, Leon Yoder, Shipshewana, Ind., was given a relatively brief life span. He was 23 years old when he died of a malignancy (melanoma) on April 3 at Goshen, Ind.

Following graduation from Goshen College in 1963, Leon Yoder volunteered as a Paxman and was assigned by the Mennonite Central Committee to Indonesia as an administrative assistant. He arrived in Indonesia in September 1963.

Leon Yoder adjusted smoothly to his new way of life and proved to be adept at learning the Indonesian language. His assignment required him to shoulder much supervisory responsibility for the distribution of foods in Central Java. Additionally, he handled the transfer of funds to MCC volunteers on other islands and the accounting and correspondence for the MCC program.

During this time, Leon also became well acquainted with the Javanese and Chinese Mennonite churches, identifying himself with the life and witness of the church. He was a person on whom others came to depend.

Disease struck unexpectedly and with speed. The first single sign of any problem soon began multiplying, and by mid-February it was clear he was seriously ill and should return to the U. S. for treatment.

Leon arrived in Chicago on Feb. 22 and entered the Evanston Hospital for extensive testing and treatment. On March 6 he moved to the Goshen, Ind. hospital where treatment was continued.

Leon Yoder was a person endowed with character and talents. He gave generously of himself to others. From many sources it was reported during his brief illness: “He was my brother's best friend.” Leon's gift of friendship graced the lives of all who knew him. He was favorite “uncle” to the children of other MCC workers, one who shared deeply in the concerns of others and was always a pleasant companion.

Leon was a deeply devoted Christian. In his manner of living and dying he showed that when faith lights the soul, man gains a profound peace, the strength to love and uncommon courage.

During the last days of preparation for leaving Indonesia, Leon expressed gratitude to God that he had been given extra days for fellowship with those with whom he had been working. Repeatedly as he lay ill, his conversation and thoughts turned toward the work in Indonesia that he had been forced to lay down.

In many ways, Leon showed that his sense of values was good. He believed in people and was willing to invest himself in them in many ways. Few knew until he left Indonesia that he was personally providing a scholarship to an Indonesian friend to enable him to get his master's degree at the Christian University.

It is especially difficult to understand why one still in life's spring should be called from us. But we are made deeply grateful to God as we reflect on Leon Yoder's life and the ways in which he touched the lives of so many.

Funeral services were held at the Shore Mennonite Church, Shipshewana, Ind.,on April 7.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1965 May 4 p. 302

text of obituary:

Leon Yoder, Shipshewanna, Ind., died on Apr 5, at the age of 23 after seventeen months of service as a Paxman in central Java as an administrative assistant for the Mennonite Central Committee. He became ill from a malignancy in February and was returned to his home for treatment.