Yoder, Esther Mable Baer (1930-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Aug 24 p. 9

Birth date: 1930 Aug 19

text of obituary:

ESTHER MABLE YODER

Esther Mable Yoder, 78, died June 27, 2009, at her home in Denbigh, Va. She was born Aug. 19, 1930, to Jacob and Esther Hahn Baer in Hampton.

She was a lifelong resident of the peninsula and was known throughout the community for her work in the Mennonite churches, her sponsorship of the folk operas at the Yoder Barn Theatre, her writings, her interest in researching the histories of family, church and the community. For years she was an editor of a local paper, The Warwick River Tide, and served on the board of the Virginia Conference Historical Committee in Harrisonburg. She also served on the school board of Warwick River Christian School and volunteered in many offices at Huntington Mennonite Church, where she was a member.

She loved to travel and visited many countries around the world. Her travel experiences, as well as being an avid reader, made her knowledgeable on many subjects. She was a close friend and counselor to many people.

Survivors include her loving husband of 59 years, John David Yoder; a daughter, Christine Yoder; a son, John Alan Yoder; a sister, Dorothy Powell of Harrisonburg; two brothers, Jacob Baer and Nelson Baer and his wife, Kathryn, all of Newport News; and two granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her youngest son, Mark E. Yoder.

Funeral services were held at Huntington Mennonite Church. Burial was in Warwick River Mennonite Church Cemetery.