Mike Roth

Theodore Michael Roth, affectionately known as Mike, was born May 9, 1949, at the Bethel Hospital in Newton, Kansas, and lost his battle with cancer on August 28, 2012, at the age of 63 years, 3 months, and 19 days. Mike was the son of Theodore E. Roth, Jr. and Lois Maxine Wilson Roth.

Mike had a wonderful childhood growing up in the town of Whitewater. It was a common sight to see Mike and his sisters Jeannie and Margie racing down Oak Street on their tricycles along with cousin Gary who was Mike's constant companion and best friend. Then came the fifth member of the Whitewater “ Our Gang Club”, little brother John who was Mike’s best friend for the rest of his life. Proof of this was in John’s dedication to caring for Mike at the end of his life.

Mike attended the Swiss Mennonite Church in Whitewater where he was saved and baptized at a young age.

Mike attended elementary school in Whitewater and graduated from Remington High School in 1967. While attending high school, he greatly impressed the superintendent with his superior driving ability which enabled him to to make all the corners and squeal the tires of his Austin Healy Sprite, (which had previously belonged to Uncle Fritz) through the halls. Possibly all the black marks on the hallway floors were what prompted his rapid exit out of the door. Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy, after a strong suggestion from his dad, which resulted after the destruction of three cars.

Mike enjoyed mowing yards around Whitewater, especially for the elderly. One of his highlights was mowing the yard of Aunt Nell Leach for $1.00 and an orange pop. Mike next worked on his Uncle John's farm along side of his Uncle Bill. Mike thought he was really grown up when he was able to drive a tractor by himself. He also worked on a farm east of Whitewater with his friend and classmate Dean Hinnen. Working with his dad, he felt like a “big shot” when he was sent to deliver calves to area farms in the International stock truck.

After enlisting in the Navy, Mike was sent to Great Lakes for basic training. He was then stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, where he was assigned to the aircraft carrier Saratoga. He spent two years on shipboard in the Mediterrean during the hostage crisis in Iran. Mike later stated that this assignment was one of the best times of his life, as he was a Plane Captain, responsible for the maintenance of an F-4 fighter. He served 3 years, 10 months, and 9 days on active duty and then was in the reserves.

Following his discharge from the Navy in 1972, he worked various places including Resniks in Whitewater, Kenworth in Wichita, with Uncle Bill Roth in Arkansas doing electrican work, and with his brother John building trucks from glider kits. He eventually found his nitch in roofing and spent the the next few years roofing in several states before moving back to Newton and going to work for Wray roofing. He worked for Wray for many years and worked up to the time that he became too ill to work any longer.
Mike died like he lived, with stubbornness and determination, and we as a family never heard him complain. We admire you and are inspired by you, Mike, for your strength.

We, as a family, would never have been able to help Mike with this journey without the assistance of Harry Hynes Hospice. Ginger, his nurse and Loree, his aide, were a Godsend to us.

We also wish to thank the staff of Broadway Colonial for their compassion during this difficult time.

Mike was proceeded in death just 5 months ago by his mother, Lois.

Survivors include his father, Ted of Newton, sons Dusty and Jesse of Burns, bothers Karl of Australia and John of Newton, sisters Jeannie Frost of Oklahoma, Margie Roth of Newton, Julie Ross of Wichita, Fritzie Hatfield of Burns, and Kristie Swift of Wichita, plus numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many,many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Kansas, 67114.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 1, at 2 pm, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Newton. Interment will be at the Whitewater Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 6:30 until 8:00pm.

Arrangements are being made with Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.