MALINDA MAE EVEREST
April 3, 1908 - Jan. 24, 2009
ELKHART - Malinda Mae Everest, 100, wife of Quinton J. Everest, was
born in Nappanee, Indiana, on April 3, 1908, the daughter of Levi
Yoder and Clara Alice Troyer Yoder. She passed away at 11:40 p.m.
Saturday, January 24, 2009, in Hubbard Hill Estates, Elkhart, IN. She
had lived in Elkhart-St. Joseph Counties all of her life. On February 16,
1929, in Wakarusa, IN, as Malinda Mae Yoder, she was united in
marriage to Rev. Quinton J. Everest. Together they enjoyed more than
76 years of marriage until his passing on September 4, 2005. She was also preceded
in death by two sisters, Mary Myers and Myrtle Katona; her half brother, Robert Yoder ;
and a grandson, Tim Fry. She is survived by her half sister, Lois Yoder Windsor of
North Carolina; four children, Charlene (Dale) Sherry of Mishawaka, IN, Quinton J.
(Shirley) Everest Jr. of Georgetown, TX, Sharon Fry of Indianapolis, IN, and Cynthia
(Michael) McKee of Laguna Beach, CA. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Tom
Sherry, Jon Sherry, Rob Sherry, Valerie Fraundorf, Paul Everest, Rosemary Alford,
Gary Fry, David Fry, Tami Fry, Christi Veal and Ryan McKee; and 25 great-
grandchildren. Mrs. Everest grew up in Wakarusa, Indiana, was graduated from
Wakarusa High School, and later from Fort Wayne Bible Institute. Her husband was
the pastor of several churches in the North Central District of the Missionary Church ,
and the world-wide radio broadcast, "Your Worship Hour," where Mae was a member of
the radio choir. Her husband was also a founder of Bethel College, Mishawaka, and
Mae was a member of the Heritage Club of the college. She was also a founding
member of the Women's Bible Study Fellowship, with prayer and planning meetings
held in her home. She was a much-loved teacher and superintendent in Sunday School
at the Gospel Center Missionary Church in South Bend, IN, where her husband was
senior pastor. After her family was raised, she became an avid reader and, after
passing her 90th year, authored the book, My First 90 Years, detailing her life as
mother, wife, and world traveler with her husband in evangelistic work. Mae, as she
was called, and her husband, Quinton, moved to Hubbard Hill Retirement Center,
Elkhart, IN, where she served on the council and became beloved to many people. In
her final years there, she listened every morning for the Lord's daily ordering of her
schedule and outlook. She became to many an example of fulfilling the Christian
vocation in the mature years. Many people delighted in conversing with her on the
phone or in person at her apartment where they could discuss past experiences and
present concerns. She was ready to pray, counsel, share ideas or offer suggestions. On
the kitchen table in South Bend, Indiana, she kept a little holder of precious promises
from the Scriptures. That is where her confidence was placed, so of her it can be said
with the Psalmist: " Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it."
(119:140) Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 31, in the chapel of the
Hubbard Hill Retirement Center, Elkhart. Rev. Orville Banks and Rev. Wayne Speicher
will officiate. Graveside services will follow at Prairie Street Cemetery, Elkhart, IN. The
family will receive friends from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Palmer Funeral
Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, and one hour prior to services
Saturday at Hubbard Hill. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel College
Ministerial Student Scholarship Fund, 1001 Bethel Circle, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com .
Published in the South Bend Tribune on 1/28/2009