May 12, 1924 – Aug.28, 2014
Melva Darlene (Yoder) Garber, 90, of Albany, formerly of Sweet Home, passed away suddenly on Thursday at Samaritan Albany General Hospital in Albany, Oregon.
She was surrounded by loving family members.
Melva was born in Kalona, Iowa to Joseph and Ella (Miller ) Yoder.
She lived in the Kalona area until 1947 when she married Eugene Garber of Manson, Iowa. Together, they faithfully pastored congregations in Kalona and Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and International Falls, Minn., before moving to Sweet Home, Oregon in 1969. They ministered to the Sweet Home Mennonite Church for 12 years before retiring.
They also developed Mt. Shadows Mobile Home Park. Mrs. Garber moved to The Mennonite Village in 2003 where she attended many area events and had just recently resigned from her volunteer job working in the Gift Shop. Her hobbies included gardening, canning, reading, music and ministering to her friends and family.
She was a member of Sweet Home Mennonite Church.
She is survived by her children: Karen (Charlie) Reed of Columbus, Ohio, Ken (Deb) Garber of Pomeroy, Iowa, Jim (Penny) Garber of Albany, Dan (Regena) Garber of Hutchinson, Kan.; Marlene (Duane) Sherfy of Albany, and Ron (Kerri) Garber of Collinsville, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, late husband Eugene Garber, brothers Daryl and Russell Yoder, sister Dorothy Yoder, and daughter-in-law Linda Garber.
Viewing will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, at Gilliland Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life will follow at 11 a.m. at Sweet Home Mennonite Church. 1266 44th Ave. Sweet Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Sweet Home Mennonite Church, P.O. Box 515, Sweet Home, OR 97386; or Choice Books, P.O. Box 4080, Manassas, VA 20108; or Mennonite Village Foundation, 5353 Columbus St. SE, Albany, OR 97322. Condolences can be sent to: 33873 Highway 34, Albany, OR 97322.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. Paid Obituary