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Voth, John T. (1897-1973)
Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1973 Mar 09 p.31
Birth date: 1897 Apr 21
text of obituary:
text of obituary:
JOHN T. VOTH
John Voth of Virgil, Ontario, was born 1897 in Blumenheim, South Russia. His father, Tobials Voth, was an itinerant preacher and farmer. John's childhood was marked by a partial paralysis on the left side, but after using crutches for several years, he left them one day and regarded this as a sure sign that God was gracious to him.
His education consisted of elementary school and four years at the school of commerce in Halbstadt, where the teacher Bemhard Harder made a deep impression. John made an initial experience with God and deepend his commitment at 15 under the preaching of Franz Wiens. He joined the church the same year.
He married Tina Bergen and God blessed the union, which lasted 53 years. Four sons and six daughters were born to them. In later years he was concerned that all members of the extended family should belong to God's family as well.
Made paupers and refugees by the political upheaval in Russia, the Voth family together with thousands of others, left for Canada in 1925 and settled in Springstein, Manitoba, to farm for 24 years. The first years were difficult, but God was gracious. School teacher and spiritual advisor for the community for 11 years was B. B. Fast, whose positive influence and personal friendship had lasting effects on the Voth family.
In 1936 the Voths were ordained to the diaconate and the Fasts to the ministry, with C.N. Hiebert officiating. Years of fruitful ministry followed. In 1951 the family moved to Virgil, Ontario, to engage in fruit farming. After most of the children left home the farm was sold. John became an orderly in the St. Catharines Hospital in 1960, and spent 7 satisfying years in serving the sick and dying with compassion and dedication.
After several years of a gradual decline in his physical capacities, he died on February 9. He is survived by his wife, 4 sons, 6 daughters, 2 sisters, and 31 grandchildren.
