Troyer, Byron Nortell (1918-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Nov 2 p. 13

Birth date: 1918 Jul 18

text of obituary:

NORTELL TROYER

Byron Nortell Troyer, 91, of Kokomo, Ind., died Oct. 18, 2009. He was born July 8, 1918, to George Delton Troyer and Katherine Sommers Troyer in Amboy.

While still too young for school, his parents relocated to Dhamtari, India, in the south-central region of India. There he received his early education at Mount Hermon Boarding School. His secondary education was accomplished at Goshen College, where he studied to be a teacher. In addition he went to optical school in Chicago Optical, graduating in 1944, and continued his passion for the mission field. He met and married Helen Wilson, who died shortly after childbirth. While in optical school he also worked for the Mennonite Home Mission, where he met and later married Elda Kauffman in 1948.

He and Elda followed Dr. George D. Troyer to Puerto Rico to do both medical and mission work sponsored by Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities. He, his father and the other missionaries were successful in founding a church, Iglesia Evangelical Menonita, in 1959. After 15 years in Puerto Rico, in 1959 the family returned to the U.S., settling in Indianapolis, so the three children could continue their education.

He was saved at an early age in India. He was a member of Koinonia Mennonite Church and had been active as an elder in the past.

Survivors include three children, George, Elizabeth and Steven.

He was preceded in death by his sister Annabelle; his first wife, Helen; his second wife, Elda; and his daughter Karen.

Services were held at Parkview Mennonite Church in Kokomo. Burial was in Mast Cemetery, where he was laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Elda, and where many generations of Troyers and extended family have been interred.