Kreider, J. Robert (1919-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Dec 21 p. 9

Birth date: 1919 Dec 30

text of obituary:

J. ROBERT KREIDER

J. Robert Kreider, 89, died on Nov. 30, 2009, at Greencroft in Goshen, Ind. He was born Dec. 30, 1919, the fourth of five children, to Lloyd S. and Adelia (Stover) Kreider in Wadsworth, Ohio.

He obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics from Goshen College. He married Virginia Stalter of Flanagan, Ill., on June 10, 1941.

He served for three years in Civilian Public Service in Clearspring, Md., and Medaryville. He was general manager for the Wright Automotive Service in Wadsworth while serving as pastor to Bethel Mennonite Church. As treasurer of the Mennonite General Conference of North America from 1951 to 1963, he encouraged congregations to move to unified church budgets. The remainder of his career was devoted to college administration at Goshen College, where he was director of development (1956-62), director of public relations (1962-71) and business manager (1971-85). He served for 20 years as the board secretary for Mennonite Mutual Aid and was a member of College Mennonite Church for half a century.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Virginia; five sons, J. Evan Kreider and his wife, Janice, of Vancouver, B.C., Paul Kreider and his wife, Kay, of Springfield, Ohio, Mark Kreider and his wife, Amy Hill, of New York, N.Y., Bruce Kreider and his wife, Charlotte, of North Newton, Kan., and Franklin Kreider and his wife, Lori, of Jackson, Mich.; a sister, Ruth Heatwole of Harrisonburg, Va.; eight grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Leonard, Carl and Don.