Yoder, Jacob E. (1877-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Apr 29 p. 5

Birth date: 1877 Aug 23

text of obituary:

Two Members Called by Death

Haven, Kans. — Two members of the Yoder Mennonite congregation were called away in death at the Halstead hospital last week within 24 hours.

Jacob E. Yoder, 76, a native of Elkhart county, Ind. and resident of the Haven community for 62 years, died Tuesday evening after a year’s illness. Funeral services were held at the Yoder church Saturday forenoon, in charge of Bishop Harry A. Diener. His wife Anna and a large family circle of children and grandchildren survive.

Sunday afternoon, April 25, funeral services were held at the Yoder church for Mrs. Mary Bontrager, 28, wife of David A. Bontrager. Bishop Diener and Andrew Bontrager officiated. She died Wednesday, April 21, after an illness of seven weeks, leaving her husband, two daughters and two sons of the home; her parents of Kinross, Iowa: four sisters and one brother. She was the former Mary Magdelene Weaver.

---

JACOB E. YODER

Jacob E. Yoder, the oldest son of Jerry and Elizabeth (Chrisner) Yoder, was born in Elkhart county, Indiana on Aug. 23, 1877; died at the Halstead, Kans. hospital of cancer on April 20, 1954, age 76 years, seven months and 28 days.

On Feb. 10, 1904, he was united in marriage to Anna (Miller) Yoder of Haven, Kansas. Their home was blessed with seven children: Edwin; Polly, wife of Wm. E. Bontrager; Lizzie, wife of Orie Troyer; Susie, wife of Paul Schrock; Moses; Sarah; and Rachel, wife of Maurice Bontrager.

Surviving are his widow and Tobie, her son by a former marriage; the seven children named above; 30 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, David; two sisters, Fannie and Susie; and many other relatives and friends.

As a young man he chose to be a Christian and united with the Amish Mennonite church, remaining faithful to the Lord and His cause, until death. He was one of the charter members of the Yoder Mennonite church and showed an active interest in Christian service all his life.

In 1892 he moved with his parents to Reno county, Kansas, locating near Yoder. At the time of his marriage he moved to an adjoining farm on which he and his family have lived ever since, a period of over 50 years.

Bro. Yoder lived an active life, serving as the community thresher for many years. He was one of the better known threshermen in central Kansas. He used an Avery threshing outfit purchased new in 1907, and in 43 years threshed well over a million bushels of grain. In later years, he was one of the oldest active members of the Antique Engine and Thresher Association, with headquarters in Wichita.

He was known as a helpful, patient, honest neighbor, a kind father and a faithful companion. His sincere and consistent Christian life gave meaning to his words of witness and instruction.

Funeral services were held at the Yoder Mennonite church on April 24, 1954, in charge of Bishop Harry A. Diener assisted by Rev. John E. Wenger of Allemands, [sic Des Allemands] Louisiana. Interment was made in the adjoining cemetery.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 20 May 1954 p. 9