Roth, John (1884-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Oct 16 p. 2

Birth date: 1884 Nov 19

text of obituary:

Well-Known Illinois Church Worker Dies

Morton, Ill. — Funeral services for John Roth, 85, active lay worker in the Mennonite church throughout his life, were held Oct. 8 at the First Mennonite Church here. He died on Oct. 6.

A retired teacher, farmer and businessman, Mr. Roth devoted much time to promoting church interests during his lifetime. He was a life member of the Illinois Mission Board. He was one of the founders of the Ann Street Mennonite Sunday school in Peoria and of the Pleasant Hill Sunday school in Gardena, both of which later became established congregations.

He was also instrumental in starting a Mennonite Sunday school in Morton, and this led to the merging of two country church and their relocation as the First Mennonite Church of Morton. He initiated the Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale, held each year as a benefit for relief work of the MCC.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Oct 23 p. 11

JOHN ROTH

John Roth of Morton, Ill., active in Mennonite church work all of his life, died on Oct. 6. Funeral services were conducted at 1:30 on Oct. 8 in the First Mennonite Church of Morton. Officiating were the pastor, Rev. Clyde Fullmer, and Rev. Harold Zehr, president of the Illinois Mennonite Mission Board. Interment was in Pleasant Grove cemetery.

Mr. Roth, now retired, had been a teacher, a farmer, and had operated a hatchery and creamery. He also sold seed corn, farm buildings, and grain driers.

His main interest was always the work of the church. He was a life member of the Illinois Mission Board. He was one of the founders of the Ann Street Mennonite Sunday School in Peoria and of the Pleasant Hill Sunday School in Gardena. Both of these later became established churches. He was instrumental in starting a Mennonite Sunday School in Morton. This led to the merging of two county [sic] churches and their relocation as the First Mennonite Church in Morton. He initiated the Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale which is held each year for the benefit of the work of the Mennonite Central Committee. Since his retirement he spent much time in the visitation of those shut in by illness and age.

He was born Nov. 19, 1884, the the [sic] son of Amos and Barbara Augsburger Roth. He married Alma Yoder on Feb. 9, 1918, and she preceded him in death on March 25, 1953. He married Elva May Schrock on Dec. 31, 1955, and she survives.

Also surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Ben (Florence) Gerig of Morton, Miss Ruth C. Roth, Rome, Ill., Mrs. Erwin (Alta) Mellinger, Villa Park, Ill., and Mrs. Loren (Barbara) Weldy, South Bend, Ind.; two brothers, Alvin Roth of Eureka, Ill. and Amos D. Roth, Jr. of Morton; and two sisters, Mrs. Lydia Albrecht and Miss Esther Roth, both of Morton. He is also survived by six grandchildren.