Yoder, Isaiah P. (1879-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Jul 12 p. 9

Birth date: 1879 Jan 31

text of obituary:

ISAIAH P. YODER

Isaiah P. Yoder, Son of Jacob D. and Susan (Swartzendruber) Yoder, passed away at his home in Kalona, Iowa on June 18, 1951 at the age of 72 years, four months, and 18 days.

He was born in McPherson county, Kans. on Jan. 31, 1879, one of a family of eight children of which he is the fourth to leave this earthly life. When he was four years old the family came to live near Kalona, Iowa, until 1895, when they moved to Illinois, living there for 10 years, and eral [sic] years before coming to Kalona.

He was employed on a farm in Woodford country, Illinois for several fears [sic] before coming to Kalona where he lived for the remainder of his life. On Christmas Day in 1907 he was married to Ada, the daughter of Peter Shetlers. To them were born two children, Walter Brainerd and Evelyn. Walter passed away in 1929 when only 19 years of age in a drowning accident while swimming with several boys in the English river. Evelyn has been ill a great share of her life.

Instead of becoming embittered and selfish through the loss of their only son, this sorrow served to open up this home to even greater service to others. It is said that one time when strangers passed through the town of Kalona, not knowing where to go for the night, the first party they asked immediately directed them to Isaiah Yoders. Many people here as well as from a distance were blessed by the warm Christian hospitality of the home.

After their marriage, they farmed north of East Union church for five years, then moved to Kalona. Isaiah served as a mail carrier for 30 years and continued living in Kalona after his retirement in 1944.

He was a member of the East Union church and was keenly interested in all its activities. As Bishop D. J. Fisher remarked, “He was never conspicuous by his presence at services, but would have been conspicuous by his absence.” For nearly 50 years he served continuously as a Sunday school teacher, often filling his place when not feeling well. He served as supervisor of the relief center for war sufferers in Kalona for one year and was on the board of directors of the Mennonite Historical society.

He was a patient at Mercy hospital in Iowa City May 8 to 19, during which time he underwent major surgery. The surgeons surrounding him at the time were impressed by his prayers before and during the ordeal. After returning to his home he was cared for day and night by his faithful companion, as he greatly desired her presence. He has so lived that he will be greatly missed and will be remembered by many for his generosity, his keen interest in mission work and his faith in prayer.

Funeral services were conducted by Bishop D. J. Fisher, using a text from John 11, assisted by S. B. Nafsiger.

Among those from a distance who attended were Mr. and Mrs. Alva Shetler of Goshen, Ind., Titus and Lura Shetler Schrock of Warsaw, Ind., Mr. and Mrs. Dan Loewen and Carol Jane of Meade, Kans.