Yoder, Abner G. (1879-1942)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Jul 16 p. 1

Birth date: 1879 Oct 4

BISHOP A. G. YODER OF WELLMAN, IOWA, LAID TO REST LAST WEEK

Wellman, Iowa, July 9. — Rev. Abner G. Yoder, 62, passed away at his home about midnight Monday, after an illness of several weeks. He had been suffering with a heart ailment and kidney trouble.

Rev. Yoder, who at the time of his death was Bishop of West Union Mennonite Church, had just returned about a month ago from a trip to Oregon and Washington, in the interest of the church, and was taken seriously ill a few days later.

Rev. Yoder was born in the Sharon neighborhood October 4, 1879, and had lived his entire life in this community.

Funeral services will be held today, Thursday , at the West Union Mennonite Church w, with burial in the West Union Cemetery. Ministers in charge of the services are Simon Gingerich of Wayland; Chris Yoder; Daniel Kauffman of Scottdale, Pa.; and John Y. Swartzendruber of Kalona. — Wellman Advance.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Jul 23 p. 1

text of obituary:

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS JOIN CONGREGATION IN FINAL RITES FOR BISHOP ABNER G. YODER, AT WELLMAN, IA.

Wellman, Ia. — Bishop Abner G. Yoder, widely known minister of the West Union Mennonite congregation here, was laid to his final resting place Thursday forenoon, July 9, in the cemetery of the church which he served so faithfully for many years. A large crowd of friends and neighbors joined with the congregation in attending the funeral.

Memorial services at the family home were conducted by ministers W. Guengerich and Amos Gingerich. The following ministers took part in the services at the church, — Simon Gingerich, Wayland, Ia., J. M Krieder, Palmyra, Mo., Nelson Kauffman, Hannibal, Mo., P. J. Blosser, South English, Ia., Chris Yoder, Wellman, Ia., and Bishops John Y. Swartzendruber, Kalona, Ia., and Daniel Kauffman, Scottdfale, Pa.

Bishop D. J. Fisher conducted the committal services at the grave.

"We have been called together at this time," said the Minister Simon Gingerich in opening the services, "to pay our last tribute to one who served you in this community, and one who has served the church, Abner G. Yoder." Chris Yoder, co-minister of West Union church, read a message of comfort from the Scriptures, while Nelson Kauffman, Hannibal, Mo., led in prayer.

In his sermon on 2 Tim. 4, 6 - 8, bishop John T. Swartzendruber said: "Brother Yoder preached without fear or favor of man. . . . I trust that we realize and appreciate the efforts he has put forth for the community and the church."

Speaking of the departed church leader's work in the conference, Bishop Daniel Kauffman referred to his "church-wide vision. The church recognized this and called him to official life . . . The important thing is that we keep the faith, and may the Lord help the rest of us to be true and faithful."

The following brief review of Bishop Yoder's life was read by Bi