Esther Yoder Yoder

Esther Yoder Yoder, 85, of 2315 Covered Bridge Road, Gladys died Monday, October 7, 2013 at her residence. She was the wife of the late Robert Edward Yoder, Sr. She was born February 4, 1928 in Hutchinson, Kansas, a daughter of the late Ben D. Yoder and Mary Nisley Yoder. She was a member of Bethel Mennonite Church and active in the Sewing Circle for many years. She is survived by five sons, Robert E. Yoder, Jr. (Almaria), Dwayne Yoder (Joyce), Joseph Yoder (Mary Sue), Donald Yoder and Ernest "Sonny" Yoder (Ruth) all of Gladys; three daughters, Betty Ann Martin (Lynn) of Rustburg, Edna Ruth Martin (Harold) of Long Island, and Alice Marie "Missy" Bender of Floyd, VA; thirty grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren, four sisters, Lovina Yoder (Ernest) of Rustburg, Fannie Mae Yoder of Staunton, Maggie Schrock (Alvin) of Cumberland, VA and Mary Beth Shifflett (Harven) of Free Union, VA; three brothers, Sanford Yoder (Martha) of Costa Rica, Eli Yoder (Ruth) of Floyd, and Harvey Yoder (Alma Jean); brother-in-law, Alvin Schrock of Staunton; a step-sister, Esther Coblentz (Alvin) of Kalona, Iowa and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, John David Yoder; a sister, Lucy Schrock; son-in-law, Clyde Bender and a step-brother, Alvin Yoder. A funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Bethel Mennonite Church, Gladys by Leon Yoder, Eli Yoder and Harvey Yoder with interment to follow in church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m., Wednesday at Bethel Mennonite Church, Gladys and other times at the residence. The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials consider The Bethel Mennonite Sewing Circle, (c/o Bethel Mennonite Church, 1160 Goat Island Road, Gladys, VA 24554) in recognition for her long involvement with the refugees and the less fortunate. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff of the Skilled Care Unit in the English building at Virginia Baptist Hospital and the staff of Centra Hospice. They also want to express special appreciation to Aunt Grace Horsley for her loving care in the time following our mother's stroke.

Esther Yoder Yoder

February 4, 1928 - October 7, 2013