Voth, Wilbert Orlando (1923-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Jun 29 p. 6

Birth date: 1923 Jan 29

text of obituary:

WILBERT ORLANDO VOTH

Wilbert Orlando Voth was born to David J. and Katie Dirks Voth on January 29, 1923, in McPherson county, Kansas. He received his elementary and high school education in the Buhler schools. At the age of nine it became necessary for him to discontinue school for approximately half a term because of a major operation. After what seemed to be a successful operation he was able to continue his schooling and finally graduate from the high school with his class of 1942.

During his childhood days he participated in Sunday school and other church activities. Later he received instruction in catechism and accepted Christ as his personal Savior. As a token of his conviction he was baptized by Rev. John F. Schmidt on May 26, 1940, [two lines reversed in original] and received into the membership of the Buhler Mennonite church.

At the age of 21 he was stricken with polio. It was a blessing that he was able to recover without any apparent defects.

In the fall of 1946 he enrolled in school at Friends university of Wichita and there completed three semesters of work. Then it became necessary for him to drop his college course because of illness. All the days of his illness he had hopes of returning to school.

The last two and one-half years of his life were a constant struggle for something better. During this time he often asked the question, “Why must I be the one to suffer all the time?" Not only did Wilbert ponder over this question but we also pondered over it. We tried to reconcile ourselves with the thought that God’s ways are frequently different from those of man's and thus the Lord dealt with Wilbert accordingly.

His physical condition grew worse until he was finally confined to bed in his own home on Friday, June 2. He remained at home till the following Wednesday when he was taken to Grace hospital in Hutchinson where he became unconscious. He remained in this condition until he died at the age of 27 years, four months, and 10 days. At 4:46 a. m, June 9 he departed from us to be with his Saviour. We pray that because of the life of Wilbert we may live a more Christlike life.

He leaves to mourn his early departure his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Voth: two brothers, Marvin and Leslie; two sisters, Mildred and Mrs. Ardiena Regier; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Edna Voth; a brother-in-law, Harlo Regier; two nephews, Kerwin and Bobby Voth; a niece, Marjean Voth, and a host of relatives and friends. — The Family.