Oyer, Siddie B. King (1885-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Mar 14 p. 3

Birth date: 1885

text of obituary:

LONG-TIME MATRON OF BOYS' DORMITORY CALLED BY DEATH

Goshen, Ind. — Mrs. Siddie B. Oyer, 78, widow of Noah Oyer, died at Goshen General Hospital on March 7.

Mrs. Oyer was a matron in the boys' dormitory at Goshen College for about 20 years before her retirement in 1952. Her husband was dean of the college from 1924 until his death in 1931.

She was the mother of Miss Mary Oyer and Dr. John Oyer, both members of the Goshen College faculty. Another daughter, Verna Oyer, resides at Huntington, Ind. There are four grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Apr 11 p. 8

text of obituary:

SIDDDIE B. (KING) OYER

A long life of service as a leader among young people, as a wife and mother, and as a dormitory matron for almost three decades, came to an end with the death of Siddie B. (King) Oyer at Goshen, Ind., on Thursday, March 7, 1963.

Siddie was born and reared at West Liberty, Ohio, and was a sister to the Mennonite ministers, B. B. King, L. O. King, and John Y. King. As an older girl she decided to further her education by going to Hesston (Kan.) Academy and Bible School. She served as matron of the girls' floor of Green Gables, leader of an evening Bible study group, and active campus personality, 1913-1919, during which time she was also a part-time instructor in German. She graduated from the Academy in 1915 as class president.

Noah Oyer, manager of the boys' floor, found it necessary to confer with her a great deal because she was matron of the girls. (He served as president of the Y.P.C.A., 1914-18, and graduated from the academy as class president in 1916.) During his senior year Siddie was a college student, but conferring with the boys' hall manager was such a pleasant experience that on Aug. 9, 1916, she was united in marriage with Noah Oyer, a man who was destined to play a huge role in the educational and religious work of the Mennonite Church.

Following their marriage, the Oyers continued in Hesston, he as a college student (B.A., 1919), and she as matron of girls in Green Gables, and part-time instructor. She was gifted in music, and regularly served as the soprano soloist in the annual rendition of the “Holy City.” The Oyers then went to Princeton where Noah earned the Th. B. degree in 1922. They then returned to Hesston where he became head of the Bible department in 1922, Dean of the College, and Pastor of the Hesston Church in 1923. In 1924 Noah Oyer became Dean of Goshen College, head of the Bible department, and pastor of the College Church. Dean Oyer died of typhoid fever in 1931, when their three children, Verna, Mary and John ranged in age from six to ten.

The sudden death of her husband before the age of 40 left Siddie with her little children to face life with her assets of courage and faith. She commented as an aged widow that people had always been so kind to her. She said that she had been told that after a while people would cease being kind and helpful, and “forget” about her. But she rejoiced that this did not prove true.

In 1931, Siddie returned to her work as matron, this time in Coffman Hall of Goshen College. There she served as second mother and nurse to a generation of young men who now rise up and call her blessed. How well she used to swab sore throats! And how kind and composed she was.

She served in this capacity of matron for 22 years, retiring in 1952. She said that she still wanted to learn to play a recorder in retirement! A little over a decade later she went home to be with the Lord who had saved and kept her, and who stood by her as she reared her family for God, and as she lived over three decades as a widow. She left a fragrant Christian memory.

Memorial funds are being received for office furniture in the new men's dormitory at Goshen College. — J. C. Wenger.