Roth, Wilbur Kenneth (1921-2002)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2002 July 15 p. 2; 2002 July 16 p. 2

Birth date: 1921 Sep 9

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2002 Aug 5 p. 11

text of obituary:

WILBUR KENNETH ROTH

Wilbur Kenneth Roth, 80, died July 14, 2002. He was born in Newton, Kan., on Sept. 9, 1921, to Willie and Della Roth.

He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1939. He attended Wichita Business College for two years, studying accounting, and went to work at Cudahy Meat Packing Co. in Wichita as a bookkeeper for 10 years.

He married Dorothy Jean Buerki on May 15, 1942, at Calvary Methodist Church in Wichita. They moved to Whitewater in 1952, where he worked for his uncle, John Roth. Later, he and his father farmed together, and he continued farming until his retirement.

Upon confession of his faith and baptism, he became a member of Swiss Mennonite Church, where he loved to worship with fellow believers. He was a deacon for 25 years, was a willing volunteer during building projects and served wherever needed. Music was a joy for him. He was a choir director for many years at both Calvary Methodist and Swiss Mennonite. His tenor voice was heard often as a soloist for church services, weddings and funerals.

He enjoyed singing in the Wichita Choral Society and in the Mennonite Men's Chorus. It was a joy for him to sing with his friends in the "Grand Old Four" quartet.

He prayed daily for his children and grandchildren, and made trips to visit them, including a trip to Brazil to visit Linda and her family when they were missionaries there. He loved to play and read stories with his grandchildren.

He loved missions and entertained missionaries in their home, and prayed, supported and corresponded with them. He was an excellent listener and happy to work behind the scenes without wanting credit for his accomplishments.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Jean; son Kenneth of Van Nuys, Calif.; daughters Linda Claassen and her husband, Glenford, of Waxhaw, N.C., and Susan Ritta and her husband, Bob, of Central City, Neb.; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.