Es Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch Eck

By: e Late C. Richard

(Continued From Page 4A)

The deacon read from the Scriptures. Nancy John Yoder preached. He recalled how gentle Rosanna had been and great was her faith. She had been a good wife to Christ and a good mother to her sons. He spoke of the empty chair and the voice no longer to be heard. The preacher read aloud the hymn, “Good night, my dear children.”

The remains were viewed in the kitchen. There were several hundred people attending the funeral. Levi Hartzler lead the funeral procession with his spring wagon. When they arrived at the graveyard, the pallbearers carried the coffin to the grave. The preacher read a hymn aloud. Then there was silent prayer. The pallbearers closed the grave and the preacher pronounced the blessing. The funeral was at an end.

The next day Christ was alone with Rosanna’s flower garden. He watered the flowers and took care of them. He looked at the lovely flowers and the many lovely colors. They encouraged him. The flowers were so beautiful and sweet; they reminded him of Rosanna. The pansies smiled up at him so lovingly, just as Rosanna had.

Your Friend, Dave Hornberger ***

We were most pleased to be reminded by Dave Hornberger of Joseph W. Yoder’s classic account of the Amish, “Rosanna Of The Amish.” The most recent copy of this book in our possession we purchased in Berlin, Ohio. This edition bears a 1973 copyright by Herald Press.

It was printed as a Choice Book, published by Mennonite Broadcasts, Inc., Harrisonburg, Virginia.

The author, Joseph W. Yoder was born in 1872 at Belleville. He attended Northwestern University and received his A.B. degree from Juniata College in 1904. His teaching career began in 1895 in Milroy, where he was the principal of the high school for two years. Later he taught at the Elkhart Institute (later Goshen College) in Indiana.

From 1906-1919, he taught music and logic at Lock Haven State Teachers College.

In 1948, Mr. Yoder received a citation from the Pennsylvania German Society for his books on Amish life. In addition to “Rosanna Of The Amish,” his works include “Amische Lieder,” “Rosanna’s Boys,” and “Amish Traditions.” Yoder was born into an Old Order Amish family, thus was acquainted with Amish customs at first hand.

Joseph W. Yoder died on November 13, 1956. His funeral

9