Yoder, Martin Matthias (1888-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Apr 25 p. 11

Birth date: 1888 Mar 30

text of obituary:

MARTIN M. YODER

Martin Matthias Yoder was born of pioneer parents, Moses H. and Elizabeth (Slabaugh) Yoder, in McPherson County, Kansas on March 30, 1888, and died on March 26, 1974, three days before his 86th birthday. At the time of his death he was at the Pleasant View Home, Inman, Kan.

At the age of two he traveled by covered wagon with his parents to West Plains, Mo. where they lived for a short time. After returning to Kansas he moved to Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, where his parents made claim to a homestead in the Cherokee Strip in 1893. There he grew to manhood. At an early age he became a member of the Mennonite Church, being affiliated with the Pleasant Valley congregation at Harper until his death.

On March 17, 1910, he married Mary Anna Butz, who survives. To this union were born two sons and four daughters: Reuben H., Harper; Dr. Paul Marvin, Buies Creek, N. C., Mabel, Mrs. Ora J. Yoder of Denver, Colo., Inez, Mrs. Ira Hockett of Norwich, Martha, Mrs. N. A. Schmidt of Inman; and Betty Jean, Mrs. Robert Easnaur, Colorado Springs, Colo.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by the six children, one sister May Gutz [sic Butz] of Argonia, 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Except for two years when the family lived in Midland, Mich., he spent his life in Kansas and Oklahoma. In 1930 he moved the family from Manchester, Okla. to Harper, Kan. where he continued to farm.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church with Rev. Robert Zehr and Rev. Waldo Miller officiating. Interment was in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.