Voth, John T. (1897-1973)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1973 Mar 09 p.31

Birth date: 1897

text of obituary:

text of obituary:

JOHN T. VOTH

n 1897 in Blumenhe,im, South Russia . His

father, Tobials Vo,t'h, was an ,itinerant preacher and ·farmer. John's childhood was marked by a partial paralysis 'On the left side, but after using crutchesf'Or severa,1 years, he left th·em one day and regarded this as a sure sign that God was graciDus to him. His education 'consisted of elementary school andfo'Ur years at ~he school of commerce in Halbstadt, where the teacher Bemhard Harder ma,de a deep 'impression. JOlhn made an inirial expe'rience with God and deepend his commitment at 1'5 under the preaching O'f Franz Wiens . He jO'ined the church the same year. He married Tlina 'Bergen and God blessed the union, which lasted 53 years. Four sons and six daughters were born to them. In 'Ialter years he was concerned that all members of the extended family ShDUld belong to' 'God's family as well. Made paupers and refug,ees by t>he political upheavall in Russia, the Voth fami,ly together with thousands of others, left fDr Canada in 1925 and semled 'in Springstein, Manitoba, to ta'rm fDr 24 years. The first years were difficult, but God was gracious. School teacher and spiritual advisor for the community fo,r 11 years was B.,s. Fast, whose po'S,itive influence and personal f.riends'hip had ' lasting eHects on the Vothfami'ly. ,In 1936 I~he Voths were ordained ,to' the diaconale and the Fasts to the ministry, with C.N. Hiebert officiating. Years of fruitful ministry followed. In 1951 the family moved to V,irgil, Ontario, to engage in fruit farming. Af.ter most of Ithe childr,en left home the ·farm was 'Solid, John became an orderly in t>he St. Catharines Hospital ,in 1960, and spent 7 satisltying years in serving the sick and dying with compassion and dedicat,ion. After severa,1 years of a gradual deciin,e ,in his physical capaciti·es, he died on Febru,ary 9. He is survived by his wife, 4 s'Ons, 6 daughters, 2 s,isters, and 31 grandchildren.