Gladys I. (Wert) Yoder

Gladys Irene (Wert) Yoder, 93, was born December 27, 1931, in McAlisterville, PA. to Michael and Alma (Lauver) Wert. She died peacefully at her home in Dover, DE, on February 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

After graduating from Lancaster Mennonite High School in 1950, she married the love of her life, Jesse J. Yoder on Dec. 25, 1951, who indeed was her “Sweetie,” supporting him faithfully with her loyalty and enduring love, through years of ministry at Central Mennonite Church.

Many good memories and family times were made living in Greenwood, DE, close to her sister Alene and Jesse’s brother Mark, before they moved to Dover in 1971. The gifts of a caring heart, a listening ear, and sometimes blunt but witty responses, brought laughter and goodwill to her immediate and extended family. Phone conversations with her sisters and people she cared about, gave her many opportunities to bless and encourage others.

Losing two sons, Robert (18) and Joseph (13) in a tragic automobile accident on April 24, 1977, did not dampen her persevering and cheerful spirit.

Gladys served selflessly as a teacher for 24 years at Central Christian School. Her patient love for students and concern for excellence, endued many of them with deep appreciation for her influence on their lives. Many quilts crafted by her for the annual School Festival and auction, were hotly contested items among grandchildren and interested friends.

She will be missed by many, but the fruit of her life and ministry will live on in her family, as they continue to live out her legacy of faithfulness.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Harold (Mary) Wert, her sister Orpha (Lloyd) Gingrich, her sister Alene (Mark) Yoder, her brothers-in-law, Vernon Zehr and Allan Shirk, her sons Robert and Joseph, daughter-in-law Dawn, and two great grandsons, Bennett and Mitchell.

Gladys is survived by her husband, Jesse, their two daughters, Shirley & Maynard Miller, Naomi & Robert Miller, and three sons, David & Ellie, Paul & Erma, & Jonathan & Heleen, twenty-three grandchildren, eighty-one great-grandchildren, three sisters, Freda Zehr, Alma Jean (Harvey) Yoder, Ruth Ann Shirk and a brother, Lloyd (Bev) Wert.

The family wishes to thank God for His faithfulness, her church family, and her many friends and relatives for their kindness, support, and prayers over the past number of months.

A viewing will be at Central Mennonite Church, 220 W. Denney's Rd. Dover, DE on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and also one hour prior to the 11:00 Sunday service.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Central Mennonite Church on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with the burial following at the church cemetery and a meal will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Central Christian School, 220 W. Denney’s Rd., Dover, DE 19904.

Arrangements are by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming, Delaware.