Lonabelle Christina Yoder, 89, passed away on Sunday, September 2, 2018. Lonabelle Christina (Jantzi) Yoder was born January 1, 1929, to Michael and Alma (Zehr) Jantzi in Alden, New York. She was baptized as a youth at Lowville Mennonite Church. She attended Eastern Mennonite High School, and college at Eastern Mennonite and Goshen College. She married James D. Yoder of Garden City, MO., on August 7, 1954. She graduated from Goshen College in 1955 with a B. S. in education. Later, she received her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Central Missouri State. She taught school for many years, beginning in Bristol, IN., and twenty-five years as an elementary teacher in Hickman Mills District of south Kansas City, MO., completing her professional years as a head librarian at Hickman Mills High School. She and her husband retired in Hesston, KS. In retirement Lonabelle was a faithful member of Bethel College Mennonite Church, where she served on the Library Committee. She also served for Mennonite Central Committee at Et Cetera, in Newton, KS. and sewed over 1,000 book bags to donate for students through MCC. Prior to retirement, she was a member of the Rainbow Mennonite Church, of Kansas City, KS. She is proceeded in death by a daughter, Angela Maria, a brother Donald Jantzi, of Goshen, IN., and brother-in-law Alfred Yoder, of Hesston, KS. Lonabelle is survived by her husband James D. Yoder, Newton, KS., son Michael Lynn Yoder, and daughter-in-law Karen Seibel, Lawrence, KS, grand-daughter-in-law Jamie Seibel of Phoenix, AZ. a brother, Glendon Jantzi of Goshen, IN., a sister-in-law, Irene (Hershberger) Yoder of Hesston, KS., and 8 nieces and nephews. Lonabelle always had a cheery disposition and a large, friendly smile she shared with everyone. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11 at Bethel College Mennonite Church, 2600 College Avenue, North Newton, KS 67117. Memorial gifts in Lonabelle’s name can be given to: Kidron Bethel Benevolent Fund care of Kidron Bethel Village, 3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton, KS 67117. The disposition of Lonabelle’s ashes will be at Clearfork Cemetery, near Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church, in Case County, MO., near the gravesite of her daughter Angela Maria and Al and Zella Yoder, the parents of her husband James.
