Troyer, Noah E. (1879-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Feb 11 p. 1

Birth date: 1879 May 5

text of obituary:

WELL KNOWN RETIRED MINISTER AND BISHOP DIED IN OHIO

West Liberty, Ohio. — N. E. Troyer, 74, well known bishop of the (Old) Mennonite church, passed away Feb. 3 at a Findlay, Ohio rest home where he had been admitted two weeks earlier. Funeral services were to be held at the Oak Grove Mennonite church here Sunday afternoon, Feb. 7.

Bro. Troyer was ordained to the ministry in 1919 and was ordained bishop in 1940, having bishop Oversight of a number of Ohio congregations prior to his retirement. He held various offices in the Ohio and Eastern A. M. Conference and during his long ministry conducted at least 75 Bible conferences or series of evangelistic meetings.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. L. J. Martin of Goshen, Ind., two sons, Earl and Raymond of West Liberty, and a sister, Mrs. S. W. Witmer of Goshen.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Aug 26 p. 9

text of obituary:

REV. N. E. TROYER

Noah E. Troyer, born into the home of Elias D. and Susannah Oswald Troyer near Berlin in Holmes county, Ohio, on May 5, 1879, was the fifth of a family of nine children: Peter, Lydia, Elizabeth, Martha, Amanda, Eli, Sanna [Sana] and Menno. He moved with his family at the age of three to Michigan, later going to Arthur, Ill., McPherson county, Kansas, back to Illinois, and finally to Champaign county, Ohio in 1895 in which community he had resided since, except for four years given in service to the church as superintendent of the Mennonite Mission at Canton, Ohio.

On Feb. 28, 1907, Noah was married to Eva Mae Allgyer, eldest daughter of Rev. S. E. Allgyer. To this happy union three children were born: Louella, Mrs. L. J. Martin of Goshen, Ind., Mark Raymond and Samuel Earl of West Liberty, Ohio, all of whom are still living.

His wife preceded him in death on Sept. 4, 1949, also a sister Martha at the age of eight and a brother Eli, on March 23, 1950. He is survived by two brothers, Peter A. Troyer, who is presently of Sarasota, Florida, and Rev. Menno L. Troyer of Elida; four sisters, Mrs. J. F. Kanagy and Mrs. Eli D. Yoder of West Liberty, Mrs. J. I. Byler of Shipshewana, Ind., and Mrs. Samuel Witmer of Goshen, Ind.; ten grandchildren, 25 nieces and nephews, and 54 grand-nieces and nephews.

As a young man of 16 Noah felt the need of a prsonal [sic] Saviour, yielded his life completely to the Lord and joined the Oak Grove Mennonite church. From that time he had continued a life of unselfish devotion to his Master and his church, accepting increasing responsibilities as part of his service. He served as chorister, Sunday School teacher and superintendent. He was ordained to the ministry April 28, 1919, and as bishop April 21, 1940. From 1919 to 1923 he was superintendent of the Canton Mennonite Mission. With his experience in the mission he felt the need of doing additional evangelistic work and devoted as much of his time toward that end as he could spare from his other duties. Few are the communities of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ontario, Canada who have not felt, at some time, the impact of his soul-stirring messages.

Noah also became active in the conference-wide administrative work of the church. He was president and member for some years of the Executive Committee of the Ohio and Eastern A.M. Conference, as well as a member of the Ohio Mission Board. The burden of his heart was that the church would remain faithful and true. He never wanted to be a burden to his church or community so combined farming with his ministerial duties, retiring from the farm in 1944 and from the ministry in 1952.

His humility of spirit, his willingness to accept the hard things of life, whatever God asked him to endure, and his great patience and devotion to others were especially noteworthy during the nine years of unselfish care of his wife during her illness and passing.

Gradually failing in health following a life of hard work and unselfish devotion, his last years were spent quietly in rest and meditation at the homes of Grandfather Allgyer, his sister Elizabeth, and for a short time with his son Raymond. When his failing faculties required more care he went first to the Mennonite Home for the Aged near Rittman, Ohio, and then to the Kollmeier Rest Home in Findlay to spend his remaining days. He had been a resident at the latter home only since the Christmas holidays. He had been ill from a complication of diseases which became critical the last three days. He quietly passed from this life early Thursday morning, Feb. 4, 1954, to enter his eternal reward. He could truly say with the Apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."

Many will miss his wise counsel, his kindly concern for their welfare, his deep humility, his constant devotion, and his unfailing patience.

He was a faithful and loving companion and father, a loyal and faithful member and minister of the church, a kind and thoughtful neighbor and member of the community. His faithful witness will follow him, and many will bless him for being the servant of God he was.