19 January 2000

Esther Viola Yoder was born to Peter Saltzman and Elizabeth Reeb Saltzman on May 28, 1911, in Fillmore County, and passed away Jan. 6, 2000, at the Fairview Manor in Fairmont, at the age of 88 years, 7 months, and 9 days. She was one of six children in the family.

Esther was baptized at the Salem Mennonite Church and lived around Shickley all of her life. She attended School District No.69 and then Shickley High School through the tenth grade. She was a housewife and also worked at the Country Store in Martland. She then moved into Shickley where she and Ralph worked at the Shickley High School from 1952 until 1974 as custodian for 22 years. After Ralph's death on July 19,1978, she worked at the Shickley Longhorn Cafe.

Esther was married to Ralph Raymond Yoder of Shickley, Feb. 1, 1934, and to them two children were born.

Esther was a member of the Salem Mennonite Church. She loved to crochet. She also enjoyed walking to the cafe for lunch everyday before going into the nursing home.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; an infant son; parents, Peter and Elizabeth; two brothers, Orville of Milford and Albert of Lincoln.

She is survived by a son, Merlin Yoder, daughter-in-law, Annie, both of Grand Island; a brother, LeVoy Saltzman and wife, Norma of Shickley; two sisters, Beulah Roth of Milford and Verna Saltzman of Shickley; sister-in-law, Naomi Saltzman of Lincoln; grandsons, Michael Yoder and wife, Bridget of Henderson, Monte Yoder and wife, Kelly of Chester, Va.; granddaughter, Missy Stamm of Grand Island; step-granddaughter, Terri Peterson and step-grandson, Blu Peterson, both of Grand Island; and by six great-grand-children and six step-great grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted from Salem Mennonite Church, Shickley, on Monday, Jan.10, with Rev. Wilton Detweiler officiating.

Organist was Michele Noel and the Salem Mixed Octet sang "City Of Lights," "How Great Thou Art," "Often Weary And Worn," and "Mansion Over The Hill Top."

Casket bearers were Burdette Pankoke, Richard Pankoke, Ron Detweiler, Steve Johnson, John

Saltzman, and Richard Koehler.

Interment was in the Salem Cemetery with Farmer & Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are directed to the Salem Mennonite Church.

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The family of Esther Yoder would like to thank everyone for all the cards, memorials, flowers, and food during the loss of our mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. A special thank you to Dr. Ashby, Rev. Wilton Detweiler, the Fairview Manor staff and the Salem Mennonite Church ladies for serving the lunch following the services. Your kind expressions of sympathy and support will always be remembered.

THE FAMWY OF ESTHER V. YODER.