Roger Wayne Roth of rural Beaver Crossing died Saturday, May 18, 2024, at his home of 51 years surrounded by family at the age of 85 years, 2 months, and 24 days.
While it is inadequate and impossible to summarize the meaning and impact of a person’s life into a few lines between birth and death dates, a common thread woven through Roger’s days is a willingness to put other people’s needs and desires before his own. The sadness and difficulty of his passing is matched by the confidence that his soul now rests safely in Christ and that he will have a new eternal body unaffected by the hardship of life on this earth.
Roger was born on a farm south of Milford to Harry and Velma (Miller) Roth on Feb. 24, 1939, as the fifth of 11 children. There he learned to love the work of farming and caring for livestock. He accepted Christ as his savior in his youth and was baptized at East Fairview Mennonite Church near Milford. On Oct. 2, 1959, he was married to Nancy Reil at Milford Mennonite Church, where he committed as a member for the rest of his life. To this marriage was born Wendell, Matt, and Sally.
Roger and Nancy moved to Des Moines, Iowa, in January 1962 to fulfill a two-year requirement for 1W service as an orderly at Iowa Methodist Hospital. Roger took on a variety of jobs to help support his family throughout the difficult years of farming and taught his children the necessity and value of work. The kids recall times of standing in miserable weather or late nights while he fixed equipment, livestock waterers and the perpetual need to grind feed at inconvenient times.
Family devotions around the breakfast table and his enjoyment of singing are also good memories. Roger was an unofficial mechanic in his family, helping others with equipment repairs and keeping things working when it seemed hopeless. Tools and spare parts continue to be a common discovery around the farmstead. But more than farm life, Dad loved his family well, and that grew as the family added in-laws, grandkids and great-grandkids. Many memories remain personal, so they are indeed precious! Dad, you are greatly missed, but we are grateful you are healed and with the Lord.
Roger is survived by his wife, Nancy; children and spouses, Wendell and Teresa Roth of Beaver Crossing, Matthew and Jennifer Roth and Sally and Andy Schweitzer, all of Milford; 11 grandchildren, Samantha Mooney and friend Keith, Linsey (Andrew) Keseman, Kristian (Taten) Banzhaf, Shelby (Clayton) Snodgrass, Bailey Roth, Alyssa Roth and friend Austin, Logan Roth and friend Morgan, Madison Roth, Jake (Emily) Schweitzer, Haley Schweitzer and friend Zane, Jenna Schweitzer; and 10 great-grandchildren. Also, by his sisters, Janice Oswald of Milford, Ila (Larry) Kremer of Congress Arizona, Carolyn Miller of Goshen, Indiana, Sharon (Roger) Lehman of Washington Boro, Pennsylvania;. Brothers, Lonnie Roth, Joseph Roth and Leonard Roth, all of Milford; brother-in-law, Cloy Roth of Grand Island; and sisters-in-law, Doris (Clyde) Kremer of Canon City, Colorado, Carol Yeackley of Milford, Judy (Jerrel) Roth of Milford, Connie (Bill) Stauffer of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Nona (Rick) French of Moundridge, Kansas, Vickie (Larry) Schweitzer of Friend; brother-in-law, Wes (Deb) Reil of Pleasant Dale; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Velma Roth; parents-in-law, Wes and Elva Reil; brother and sister-in-law, Herbert and Jeanene Roth; sisters, Ora Roth and Marieta Roth; brothers-in-law, Larry Miller, Gary Yeackley and Gale Oswald; niece, Audrey Roth; and nephew, Deryl Roth.
The funeral service was May 23 at the Milford Mennonite Church with interment will be at the Milford Mennonite Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the family for a future designation. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services-Milford.
