An expanded obituary project of
MennObits. Includes additional information of obituaries
appearing in
The Mennonite and other newspapers. Source of
individual obituaries given with each record. Project managed by
Thelma Martin.
2025
X to Z
Yoder, Floyd J.
March 25, 1935 - February 1, 2025
Floyd J. Yoder, 89, of Shipshewana, (district: 55), died at 8:46 pm on Saturday, February 1, [2025] at his residence. He was born on March 25, 1935, in Shipshewana, to Joseph J. and Elizabeth C. (Bontrager) Yoder. On May 10, 1962, in Shipshewana, he married Anna Graber, she survives.
Survivors in addition to his wife are five sons, Marlin Yoder of Middlebury, Lester (LaVerda) Yoder of Shipshewana, Cletus (Miriam) Yoder of Middlebury, David Yoder, Joas (Lucy) Yoder both of Shipshewana; four daughters, Mary Jean (Daniel) Stoltzfus of Lashmeet, WV, Elizabeth Mae (Joseph) Bowman of Middlebury, Ruth (Leland) Knepp of Shipshewana, Edith (Simon) Lee of Greenville, PA; 58 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Perry (Shirley) Yoder, Owen (Peggy) Yoder both of FL, Daniel (Edna) Yoder of Middlebury; two sisters, Nettie (Verlin) Yoder, Sadie (Perry) Miller both of Middlebury; sister-in-law, Cheryl Yoder of Goshen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Ida Yoder; a stillborn daughter; brother, Cletus Yoder.
Floyd was a retired farmer and a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Visitation will be after 2:00 pm on Monday, February 3 and all-day Tuesday, February 4 at the Leland Knepp residence, 3805 N. 1150 W., Shipshewana. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Wednesday, February 5, at the same residence. Services will be conducted by the home ministers. Burial will be in Yoder Family Cemetery, Middlebury.
Yoder, Laverda Sue Cross
December 8, 1971 - February 14, 2025
Laverda Sue Yoder, 53, of Shipshewana, (district: 49-4), died at 8:05 pm on Friday, February 14, [2025] at Parkview LaGrange Hospital, following a 4 ½ year battle with cirrhosis of the liver. She was born on December 8, 1971, in LaGrange County, to Mahlon Jr. and LouElla (Miller) Cross. On July 23, 1998, she married Willard S. Yoder, he survives.
Survivors in addition to her husband are her mother, LouElla Cross of Topeka; sister, Leora (Lamar) Troyer of Topeka; two nephews, Matthew Troyer (special friend, Laura Miller) and Mahlon Troyer (special friend, Sharon Miller) both of Topeka.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Laverda was a homemaker and a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Visitation will be after 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 15 and all-day Sunday, February 16 at the Jay Dee Lehman residence, 8940 W. 450 N., Shipshewana. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Monday, February 17 at the same residence. Services will be conducted by Bishop William Bontrager and the home ministers. Burial will be in Lehman Cemetery, Shipshewana.
Yoder, LaVern D.
May 25, 1967 - February 26, 2025
LaVern D. and Mattie L. (Bontrager) Yoder, 57 and 58, of LaGrange, (district: 9), died at 8:34 pm, on Wednesday, February 26, [2025] at the scene of an automobile/bicycle accident. He was born on May 25, 1967, in LaGrange, to Dan W. and Susie (Schlabach) Yoder. She was born on December 4, 1966, in LaGrange, to Levi W. and Ruby (Miller) Bontrager. On June 1, 1988, they were married in LaGrange County. Surviving are their seven children, Danny (Elnora) Yoder of Topeka, Edna Ellen Yoder of LaGrange, Steven (Joanna) Yoder of Ligonier, Marion (Verna) Yoder of Topeka, Ruby LuElla (Aron) Miller of Wolcottville, Rose Ann (Glen) Fry of LaGrange, Joas Dean Yoder of LaGrange; 11 grandchildren.
Also surviving are LaVern’s father, Dan W. Yoder of Topeka; two brothers, Harley (Loretta) Yoder of Ligonier, Mervin (Ruth) Yoder of Topeka; four sisters, Edna Mae Yoder of Topeka, Saranna (Melvin) Schrock of LaGrange, Erma Arlene (Melvin) Graber of Grabill, Sue Ellen (Ernest) Miller of LaGrange; uncle, Raymond Schlabach of LaGrange. He was preceded in death by his mother and an aunt, Anna Schlabach.
Also surviving are Mattie’s seven brothers, William (Annabelle) Bontrager of Middlebury, Amos (Elsie) Bontrager of Shipshewana, Abe (Lydia Mae) Bontrager of LaGrange, Willis (Linda) Bontrager of Syracuse, Ezra (Wilma) Bontrager, Vernon (Ella Mae) Bontrager both of Shipshewana, John (Ruby) Bontrager of LaGrange; three sisters, Fannie (Joe) Bontrager of Burr Oak, MI, Edna (Henry) Miller of Loganville, WI, Rosanna (Gerald) Hochstetler of Markesan, WI; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Bontrager of LaGrange, Mary Lou (Mark) Smith of Shipshewana. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Perry and Levi Bontrager.
LaVern was a farmer and Mattie was a homemaker. They were both members of the Old Order Amish Church. Visitation will be after 2:00 pm on Friday, February 28 and all-day Saturday, March 1 at the David Yoder residence, 5375 W. 100 S., LaGrange. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Sunday, March 2 at the same residence. Services will be conducted by Bishop Larry Hochstetler and the home ministers. Burial will be in Beechy Cemetery, LaGrange. Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, Middlebury, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Yoder, LeVon Lee
June 22, 1936 - March 4, 2025
LeVon Lee Yoder, retired professor of physics, died Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at his home in Goshen, Indiana. He was 88 years old.
He was born in Middlebury, Indiana on June 22, 1936, the third son of Leonard C. and Cleo M. (Pletcher) Yoder. He grew up on farms in Elkhart County.
In 1954, he graduated from Jefferson High School, where he discovered his love for physics. That interest grew while he was a physics major under Dr. Albert Meyer at Goshen College, where he received his B.A. in physics in 1958. His enrollment in the University of Michigan graduate physics program was delayed for a year to study at the Goshen Biblical Seminary. He received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Michigan in 1963.
His long teaching career began at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, as assistant professor of physics and department chair from 1963 to 1965.
In 1965, he began his 40-plus-year tenure at Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan, as professor and chairman of physics. He took pride in facilitating his students’ advancement into engineering careers and graduate programs. When he finally took a sabbatical from teaching in 1986-87, his research with Dr. Gabriel Weinreich at the University of Michigan was focused on the acoustics of musical instruments. LeVon then created his own acoustic lab at Adrian College.
LeVon loved music. He played the trumpet in his youth, and enjoyed singing with the Motet Singers at Goshen College under the direction of Dr. Mary Oyer. LeVon married Anita R. Hoffman on August 21, 1960, at the Goshen College Church. He loved the geodesic dome house and garage that Anita designed and he built overlooking Hazen Creek in a woods west of Adrian.
When LeVon retired in 2008, he again turned to woodworking, designing and making walking sticks in complicated geometric designs using a wide variety of woods.
His 2-mile-a-day run decelerated to a run-walk in later years, then to a 2-mile walk, but continued until one week before his death. And he continued to be an avid reader.
LeVon was predeceased by his parents, his infant sister Frieda, and brothers Marvin and Ronald Yoder. He is survived by his wife, Anita Hoffman Yoder, his daughter, Teryl Yoder, his brothers Leon (L.C.) Yoder and Kenyon (Susan) Yoder, and his sister-in-law, Connie Yoder.
Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A celebration of LeVon’s life will be held at a later date. Donations in LeVon’s memory may be directed to Mennonite Central Committee; https://mcc.org/.
Yoder, Mattie L. Bontrager
December 4, 1966 - February 26, 2025
LaVern D. and Mattie L. (Bontrager) Yoder, 57 and 58, of LaGrange, (district: 9), died at 8:34 pm, on Wednesday, February 26, [2025] at the scene of an automobile/bicycle accident. He was born on May 25, 1967, in LaGrange, to Dan W. and Susie (Schlabach) Yoder. She was born on December 4, 1966, in LaGrange, to Levi W. and Ruby (Miller) Bontrager. On June 1, 1988, they were married in LaGrange County. Surviving are their seven children, Danny (Elnora) Yoder of Topeka, Edna Ellen Yoder of LaGrange, Steven (Joanna) Yoder of Ligonier, Marion (Verna) Yoder of Topeka, Ruby LuElla (Aron) Miller of Wolcottville, Rose Ann (Glen) Fry of LaGrange, Joas Dean Yoder of LaGrange; 11 grandchildren.
Also surviving are LaVern’s father, Dan W. Yoder of Topeka; two brothers, Harley (Loretta) Yoder of Ligonier, Mervin (Ruth) Yoder of Topeka; four sisters, Edna Mae Yoder of Topeka, Saranna (Melvin) Schrock of LaGrange, Erma Arlene (Melvin) Graber of Grabill, Sue Ellen (Ernest) Miller of LaGrange; uncle, Raymond Schlabach of LaGrange. He was preceded in death by his mother and an aunt, Anna Schlabach.
Also surviving are Mattie’s seven brothers, William (Annabelle) Bontrager of Middlebury, Amos (Elsie) Bontrager of Shipshewana, Abe (Lydia Mae) Bontrager of LaGrange, Willis (Linda) Bontrager of Syracuse, Ezra (Wilma) Bontrager, Vernon (Ella Mae) Bontrager both of Shipshewana, John (Ruby) Bontrager of LaGrange; three sisters, Fannie (Joe) Bontrager of Burr Oak, MI, Edna (Henry) Miller of Loganville, WI, Rosanna (Gerald) Hochstetler of Markesan, WI; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Bontrager of LaGrange, Mary Lou (Mark) Smith of Shipshewana. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Perry and Levi Bontrager.
LaVern was a farmer and Mattie was a homemaker. They were both members of the Old Order Amish Church. Visitation will be after 2:00 pm on Friday, February 28 and all-day Saturday, March 1 at the David Yoder residence, 5375 W. 100 S., LaGrange. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Sunday, March 2 at the same residence. Services will be conducted by Bishop Larry Hochstetler and the home ministers. Burial will be in Beechy Cemetery, LaGrange. Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, Middlebury, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Yoder, Nolan W.
March 11, 1930 - Januray 16, 2025
Nolan W. Yoder, age 94, of Orrville, died January 16, 2025.
Friends may call on January 24, 2025, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am at Pleasant View Mennonite Church, 14795 Wooster St. NW, North Lawrence. A service will follow at 11:00 am, with Pastor Rocky Carr officiating.
A memorial service will be held on January 25, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Aurora Mennonite Church, 59 E Mennonite Road, Aurora, OH, with Jim Schwartz officiating. A private family burial will take place at the Aurora Mennonite Church Cemetery in Aurora.
Auble Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Full obituary at aublefuneralhome.com
Yoder, Ruth Ann Bontrager
August 31, 1973 - January 9, 2025
Ruth Ann Yoder, 51, of Middlebury, (district: 61-1), died at 2:20 pm on Thursday, January 9, [2025] surrounded by her family in the home she grew up in. She was born on August 31, 1973, in Goshen to Wilbur M. and Lizzie Mae (Bontrager) Bontrager. On September 16, 1993, in Middlebury she married Floyd Lee Yoder, he survives. Survivors in addition to her husband are two daughters, Regina Ellen (Stanley) Yoder of Goshen and Laura (special friend, Lyndon Miller) Yoder at home; three sons, Merle Dean (Katie) Yoder of Middlebury, Lyle Duane (Sheila) Yoder of Middlebury, and Gary Lynn (special friend, Kathleen Fry) Yoder at home; six grandchildren; her father, Wilbur of Shipshewana; three brothers, Marvin (Beth) Bontrager of Shipshewana, Glen (Alice) Bontrager of Shipshewana, and Richard (Fannie) Bontrager of Topeka; two sisters, Edna (Larry) Yoder of Millersburg and Arlene (LaVern) Bontrager of Middlebury.
She was preceded in death by her mother and infant daughter, Rebekah Yoder.
Ruth was an energetic farmers wife, a homemaker, and a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Visitation will be after 1:00 pm on Friday, January 10, and all day on Saturday, January 11, at the family's residence; 11191 CR 18, Middlebury. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Sunday, January 12, at the LaVern Bontrager residence; 11511 CR 18, Middlebury. Services will be conducted by Bishop John Miller and the home ministers. Burial will be in Bontrager Cemetery, Middlebury.
Yoder, Zachery David
January 13, 2025 - January 21, 2025
Zachery David Yoder, 8 day old son of Calvin and Brenda (Hochstetler) Yoder, of Topeka, (district: 32-1), passed away peacefully due to natural causes at 2:00 am, on Tuesday, January 21, [2025] at home. He was born on January 13, 2025, in Topeka.
Survivors in addition to his parents are five siblings, Leah Rose, Adrian Devon, Luke Aaron, Katelyn Joy, and Angelyn Erma all at home; grandparents, Maynard and Sara Yoder of Topeka and Devon and Barbara Hochstetler of Shipshewana.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Erma Yoder.
Visitation will be after 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 22, at the Maynard Yoder residence: 7640 W. 500 S., Topeka. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Thursday, January 23, at the same residence. Services will be conducted by Bishop Vernon W. Yoder and the home ministers of the Old Order Amish Church. Burial will be in Meadowview Cemetery, Topeka.
Yutzy, John J.
June 4, 1947 - January 7, 2025
John J. Yutzy, age 77 of Nappanee, IN, passed away at home at 8:27 am on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 after a weary journey of Parkinsons. He was born on June 4, 1947 in Elkhart, IN to Jonas F. and Susie (Borkholder) Yutzy.
John was a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
On April 6, 1967 he married Malinda Raber in Nappanee. John is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Malinda Yutzy of Nappanee; 8 Children: Martha (Samuel) Mast of Nappanee, Lavern (Rosetta) Yutzy of Nappanee, Erma (Levi Jr.) Plank of Nappanee, Rachel (Joseph) Plank of Nappanee, Atlee (Susan) Yutzy of Nappanee, Mary (Lyle) Borkholder of Nappanee, Earl (Laura) Yutzy of Bourbon, IN, and Marlin (Dorene) Yutzy of Nappanee; 48 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; and 2 siblings: Lizzie Yoder of Middlebury, IN and Noah (Leanna) Yutzy of Nappanee.
John was preceded in death by his parents; a great grandson, Zachary Borkholder; and a brother-in-law, Freeman Yoder.
Visitation will be held after 2 pm on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 and all day on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at the family residence (1658 Beech Rd, Nappanee, IN 46550). A funeral service will begin at 9:30 am on Friday, January 10, 2025, also at the family residence. Bishop Wilbur Kuhns will officiate and burial will follow in Borkholder Cemetery, Nappanee. Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.
Zimmerman, Ammon M.
November 7, 1930 - March 12, 2025
Ammon M. Zimmerman, 94, of New Holland, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at his residence. He was born in New Holland to the late George N. and Mary (Martin) Zimmerman and was the husband of the late Elva Ruth (Wise) Zimmerman, who passed away in 2011.
He was a member of Bowmansville Mennonite Church (Weaverland Conference). Ammon worked as a farmer.
Ammon is survived by eight children, Edith W. Zimmerman of New Holland, Allen W., husband of Vera Zimmerman of Ephrata, Melvin W., husband of Linda Zimmerman of Ephrata, Ray W., husband of Mary Zimmerman of Denver, Ammon W., husband of Rhoda Zimmerman of Blue Ball, Carl W., husband of Ruth Zimmerman of New Holland, Elsie W., wife of Neil Martin of Manheim, Rosene W. Zimmerman of New Holland; a son-in-law Paul M. Nolt of New Holland; 32 grandchildren and 110 great-grand-children.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Almeda W. Nolt; a granddaughter; a great-grandson; nine siblings Anna Ruth Lauver, Martha G. Weaver, John N. M. Zimmerman, Mary Ann Martin, Paul Zimmerman, Esther M Zimmerman, Amos M. Zimmerman, Abram E. Zimmerman and Titus M. Zimmerman.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025, from 5 to 8 PM, at Martindale Mennonite Fellowship Center, 352 Martindale Road, Ephrata. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 9 AM, from Martindale Mennonite Fellowship Center, with further services at 9:45 AM, at Bowmansville Mennonite Church, 911 Oaklyn Drive, Narvon, with Bishop Leon S. Zimmerman officiating. Interment will take place in the adjoining church cemetery.
Kindly omit flowers.
Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.
Zimmerman, Earl B.
May 24, 1937 - February 24, 2025
Earl B. Zimmerman, 87, formerly of Mount Joy, died unexpectedly on Monday, February 24, 2025 at Landis Home, Lititz, where he was residing. He was the widower of the late JoAnn (Hess) Zimmerman who died in 2022. Born in Lititz, he was the son of the late Harry and Grace (Bucher) Zimmerman.
Earl was retired from Lancaster Malleable Castings after more than 39 years where he was Director of Purchasing and Treasurer. He was a faithful member of Mount Joy Mennonite Church where he was a member of the Worship Team. He enjoyed traveling, reading, and tennis.
Surviving are two sons, Jeffrey H. Zimmerman, Lititz, and Gregory H., husband of Kathryn Zimmerman, Bloomsburg; three grandsons, Andrew (Kaitlyn Rhoades), Joseph (fiancee, Sarah Brown), and David; and two brothers, Mark Zimmerman of Lititz, and Levi Zimmerman of Florida. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Yoder, and a brother, Harry Zimmerman.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his memorial service at the Mount Joy Mennonite Church, 320 Musser Road, Mount Joy on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM. There will be a time of visitation with the family on Saturday at the church from 2:00 PM until the time of the service. Interment in Kraybill Mennonite Cemetery will be private. Kindly omit flowers; contributions in Earls memory may be sent to Mount Joy Mennonite Church at the above address.
Zook, John E.
March 8, 1940 - March 5, 2025
John E. Zook, age 84, of Orrville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at LifeCare Hospice in Wooster, following a period of declining health.
John was born on March 8, 1940, in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, to the late Aaron and Elsie (Mast) Zook. He graduated from Lancaster Mennonite School in Lancaster, PA with the class of 1958 and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1977. On August 5, 1961, he married Velma J. Dillman in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and together they shared 63 wonderful years of marriage.
John was a Sales Executive for several custom kitchen companies, most recently working with Premier Custom Kitchens, retiring in 2009. He found joy in his retirement driving a van for Orrville City Schools.
A devoted member of Oak Grove Mennonite Church, John lived out his faith through service. He and Velma served from 1969 to 1973 in Kenya and Somalia as missionaries through Eastern Mennonite Missions, helping to build a school compound and serving as dorm parents. Later in life, he participated in several short-term mission trips with Mennonite Disaster Service in Louisiana and Honduras and served as the Northeast Ohio chapter representative for Global Disciples.
John enjoyed teaching Sunday school, reading, collecting books, detailing cars, and traveling. He had a deep appreciation for foreign cultures and languages and cherished the time he spent helping his grandchildren grow, learn, and succeed. His fun-loving nature and gift for connecting with others meant he never knew a stranger.
He is survived by his loving wife Velma; children Sharon (Joe) McDorman of Mt. Crawford, VA, Kristine (Nelson) Witmer of Salem, Merle (Dorene) Zook of Mount Sidney, VA, and Mark (Kristen) Zook of Orrville; eleven grandchildren, Aaron (Charity) McDorman, Ben (Ashley) McDorman, Andrew Witmer, Alex (Morgan) Witmer, Adam (Liz) Witmer, Matt (Erin) Zook, Kelsey (Jared) Watson, Jacque Zook, Kyle (Tara) Zook, Joel (Jera) Zook, and Ally (Steve) Romero; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, Marvin (Melva) Zook of Ontario, Canada, Leroy Zook of Narvon, PA, Verna Stoltzfus of Farmersville, PA, Miriam (John) Stoltzfus of Belleville, PA, and Martha Zook of Narvon, PA; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Anthony Zook; sisters Mabel Smoker and Mary Ruth Zook; and brothers-in-law Calvin Smoker and Naaman Stoltzfus.
Friends may call on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Auble Funeral Home, 512 East Oak Street, Orrville, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Oak Grove Mennonite Church, 7843 Smucker Road, Smithville, with Pastors Joel Zook and Seth Miller officiating. A private family burial will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery in Orrville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove Mennonite Church or Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare.
Arrangements are entrusted to Auble Funeral Home in Orrville. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.aublefuneralhome.com.