Esther A. Yoder

Esther A. Yoder, 93, of Elkhart passed away, surrounded by family, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 at Center for Hospice Care.

She was born March 16, 1923 in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania to Elmer and Lorena (Miller) Detwiler.

On October 1, 1949 she married Gordon Yoder in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.

He survives along with a daughter, Diane (Robert) Hershberger of Elkhart; two sons, Sanford (Julie) Yoder of Elkhart and Tom (Margaret Delaney) Yoder of Grand Junction, Colorado; six grandchildren, Jason (Heather Berg) Hershberger of Bristol, Jaime and Jennifer Hershberger, both of Indianapolis, Jordan Hershberger of Missoula, Montana, Katy (Ben) Holdread and Kelly Yoder, both of Elkhart; a great-granddaughter, Taylor Holdread; two sisters, Bernice Schroeder and Jean (Cal) Graber, both of Goshen; and two sisters-in-law, Helen Joyce Detwiler of Goshen and Lynda Detwiler of Houston, Texas.

She was preceded in death by a son, Michael Yoder in 1971, and four brothers, John, Dale, Delbert and Carl Detwiler.

The most important thing in Esther’s life was the love of God and family.  She was a very active member of College Mennonite Church.

Esther graduated from Goshen College and taught in the Elkhart Community Schools for 20 years.

She enjoyed canning, gardening, baking pies, music and bowling.

Cremation will take place at Yoder-Culp Crematory.

Friends may call Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 1 p.m. in the Gathering room at College Mennonite Church, with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. Pastors Phil Waite and Ron Kennel will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Jubilee Fund at College Mennonite Church or Center for Hospice Care, Elkhart.