Yoder, Ray F. (1893-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Jan 24 p. 3

Birth date: 1893 Feb 21

text of obituary:

Former Bishop, Pastor Dies At Goshen, Ind.

Goshen, Ind. — Rev. Ray F. Yoder, 69, who for many years served as minister and bishop of the Salem Mennonite Church west of New Paris, died at Goshen General Hospital on Sunday, Jan. 13. He suffered from a heart ailment and had been a patient at the Simpson Nursing Home since last April.

Funeral services were conducted Jan. 15 at the Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, with J. C. Wingier and Harold Myers in charge.

A native of the Wakarusa community, Rev. Yoder was ordained to the ministry in 1918 and to the office of bishop in 1937. He served the Salem church until about two years ago when forced to retire for health reasons.

Mrs. Yoder, the former Clara Smeltzer, died in 1960. Surviving are four daughters, Marie A. Yoder of Goshen, Mrs. Myron Amstutz and Mrs. Lester Miller of Toledo, O., and Mrs. Richard Snodey of Washington, D. C.; five sons, Robert of Swanton, O, Sanford of Benton, John Mark of Chicago, Ill., Clayton of Phoenix, Ariz., and Wayne of Route 5, Goshen; one brother, Lloyd of Harrisburg, Pa., and 18 grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Mar 21 p. 8

text of obituary:

RAY F. YODER

Ray F. Yoder, 69, retired minister of Goshen, Ind., died Sunday, Jan. 13, at Goshen General Hospital where he was taken a few days previous from a nursing home. He had been confined since last April and had suffered from a heart ailment for two years.

A native of the Goshen community, Mr. Yoder was born Feb. 21, 1893, and married Clara E. Smeltzer Feb. 20, 1913. She died May 4, 1960. He lived all his life in Elkhart County.

Mr. Yoder was ordained into the ministry Feb. 6, 1918, and became a bishop July 4, 1937. He had served as pastor of the Salem Mennonite Church for many years.

Surviving are four daughters, Marie A. Yoder of Goshen, Mrs. Myron Amstutz and Mrs. Lester Miller, both of Toledo, O., and Mrs. Richard Snodey of Washington, D. C.; five sons, Robert of Swanton, O., Sanford and John of Chicago, Clayton of Phoenix, Ariz., and Wayne of Route 5, Goshen; 18 grandchildren; and a brother, Lloyd, Harrisburg, Pa.

Rev. J. C. Wenger and Rev. Harold Myers officiated at the services, held at the Yellow Creek Mennonite Church. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.