Melvin Lester Yoder

HESSTON - Melvin Lester Yoder passed away on May 2, 2015, at Schowalter Villa, Hesston. He was born February 22, 1927, near Hutchinson, Kansas. The youngest of five children, he was the son of Samuel J. and Mary (Schrock) Yoder. He was baptized at Yoder Mennonite Church as a youth. On April 14, 1950, he married Cleo Marie Miller at Yoder, Kansas. They lived near Hutchinson, Kansas until 1961, when they moved to the Hesston, Kansas area. In 1975, they moved to Sharon Springs, Kansas and then back to Hesston in 1980. Melvin had a passion for the work of the Lord and sharing the word of God. He was a very active member of The Gideons International since 1978. As a Gideon, he was elected Kansas State President in 1986. He served for 12 years on the Kansas State Cabinet and traveled abroad on behalf of Gideons. He continued as a very active member of Gideons throughout his life. He was also an active member at Whitestone Mennonite Church, serving at various times as Trustee, Elder and other positions. Melvin was a loving, supportive and gentle husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He cared deeply for his wife and family and was present and supportive in the special occasions and the times of need. He was a man of prayer, believed strongly in the power of prayer, and experienced the power of prayer. He was a farmer and experienced much joy in tilling the soil and raising crops. In addition to being a lifelong farmer, Melvin worked for Mennonite Aid Union Insurance for 37 years, including service as the General Manager of Mennonite Aid Union Insurance from 1980, through 1999. Melvin is survived by: his son, Arlan and wife Ila, Hesston; six grandchildren, Jeff Yoder and wife Lisa, Hesston, Lisa George and husband Mark, Hesston, Justin Yoder and wife Stephanie, Weatherford, Okla., Jacquelyn Wostenburg and husband Darren, Longmont, Colo., Lacy Foos, Loomis, Calif., and Rachel Vest, Wichita. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Cora Yoder, Isaac Yoder, Briley Yoder, Braxton Yoder, and Taryn George, and by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Cleo, two stillborn daughters, Neta Faye and Diane Dell, his daughter, Arnella Lindsay, one brother, Ralph Yoder, and sisters, Wilma Yoder, Lizzie Mae Selzer, Verna Yoder and a stillborn sister. Graveside service will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday May 7,2 015, in Eastlawn Cemetery, Hesston. Memorial service will be at 11 .m. Thursday May 7, 2015, at Whitestone Mennonite Church, Hesston. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston. Memorials may be given to The Gideons International, in care of the Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston.

Melvin Lester Yoder

February 22, 1927 - May 2, 2015