Arthur John Roth, 92, died June 26, 2023. He was born Dec. 24, 1930, near Petersburg, Ont.
His early years were spent on the farm in Petersburg, attending grade school to the eighth grade, when he was needed to help with the farm work. He graduated from Ontario Mennonite School and Institute. On May 6, 1955, he became a permanent resident of the United States. He attended Eastern Mennonite College for one semester after receiving his GED. He was then drafted to serve as an orderly at Marymount Hospital Emergency Room in Garfield Heights, Ohio.
In the summer of 1953, he began to travel with Christian Laymen’s Tent Evangelism team out of Orrville, Ohio. During a tent revival he met his future wife, Marjorie Miller of Kalona, Iowa.
In 1961 he brought his family to Julesburg, Colo., to serve as pastor of Julesburg Mennonite Church. He served as the pastor of Chappell Mennonite Church until it disbanded and joined with the Julesburg congregation. In 1977 he filled in a vacancy at Community Presbyterian church in Sedgwick, Colo., which became a permanent role. He retired from both churches in 2014 but never retired from sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. During his ministry, he officiated at over 600 funeral and graveside services, over 60 weddings, over 130 baptisms, numerous child dedications and preached well over 8,500 sermons and messages.
In addition to his pastoral duties, he worked with a local farmer and as a carpenter, furniture salesman and courthouse custodian, owned a carpet and drapery business and assisted with the local funeral home. He served on the county ambulance service for 20 years.
He was nominated to run in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay and light the cauldron at the Colorado Welcome Center’s celebrations. He served many years on the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp board.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; daughters Yvonne (Jeff) Otto, Jane (Bernie) Mindrup and Sheri (Marty) Swartzendruber; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorials can be made to the Julesburg Mennonite Church building project or the Sedgwick County Ambulance Service.
