Yoder, Emery Edward (1881-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 May 1 p. 8, 9

Birth date: 1881 Jun 28

text of obituary:

EMERY E. YODER

Emery Edward Yoder was born June 28, 1881, near Index, in Cass county, Missouri, and died of coronary thrombosis at the age of 70 years, nine months and 16 days, on April 14, 1952, at his home at East Lynne, Mo. On July 29, 1951, he was taken to the Memorial hospital in Harrisonville, where he spent a month, due to a serious heart condition. Since that time he had been in failing health, often with severe suffering, but always without any complaint. He was patient and submissive to God's will during his illness and appreciated the kindness and thoughtfulness of his many friends.

In his youth he accepted Christ as his Savior and became a member of the Sycamore Grove church near Garden City, Mo., and during his lifetime he remained loyal to his Christian faith and to the church. He was an ardent lover of singing and served either as Sunday school or church chorister from his youth until his failing health forced him to resign. He was always interested in improving congregational singing. During his lifetime he assisted with the singing at over 350 funeral services. Often during his illness he could be heard singing along with the voices on the radio.

For many years he served as Sunday school teacher or superintendent and for 30 years he was treasurer of the Alms Fund of the local church. For a number of years he was one of the visiting brethren of the Sycamore Grove congregation, whose duties were the same as those of the present deacon.

He was a kind, loving and faithful husband and father and will be sadly missed in the home and community. He was always interested in the spiritual welfare of his friends, and especially of his children and grandchildren. He was honest and helpful in all his dealings with his fellowmen, and to know him was to love and respect him.

He was the youngest of six children born to Christian M. and Rebecca (Kauffman) Yoder. All his brothers and sisters, except the oldest, Nettie A. Zook, of East Lynne community, have preceded him in death. On Jan. 1, 1905, he was married to Pearl Blank, who lovingly and patiently cared for her husband during his illness.

Besides his companion and oldest sister, he leaves a brother-in-law, Ollie U. Blank, one daughter, Inah, Mrs. Emery King, Hesston, Kansas, and a son, Clarence, of Pleasant Hill, Mo., who was adopted at five weeks of age and was loved as their own son. He, with his wife, have given faithful and devoted assistance, as well as the daughter and her family, during these months of illness. He also leaves five grandsons, Elbert, Delbert, and Lloyd King, Harry Lee and Steven Yoder, four of whom served as casket-bearers, and two granddaughters, Irene and Marjorie King, besides many other relatives and friends. Junior Zook and Jimmy Schrock also assisted as casket-bearers.

The funeral services were in charge of Bro. S. S. Hershberger at the home, with Bro. W. R. Hershberger in charge at the church, assisted by Bro. Rufus Horst, Kansas City, Kansas. Bro. Horst also spoke at the grave service. Burial was made in the Clearfork cemetery.