Milton Dale Roth was born May 13, 1936, on his family’s farm in rural Milford to Albert and Stella (Eicher) Roth. Milton passed away Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at the age of 87 years, at the home he shared with his wife, only one mile from the home he was born and raised in. His family was privileged to spend the last days of his life with him as he peacefully left this life and stepped into eternity.
As a young teen, Milton accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and was baptized and accepted into membership at East Fairview Mennonite Church, rural Milford. He attended country school at District 84 and then graduated from Milford High School in 1953. Milton worked on the family farm with his father and brothers until he entered 1-W service in Denver, Colorado, in 1956. He returned home in the fall of 1958 and worked at Woodcraft in Lincoln. In the spring of 1959, he began farming, an occupation he continued for most of his working years.
On Oct.24, 1959, he married the love of his life, Wilma Yoder. To this union were born four children, Dawn, Victoria, Orlando and Janell. Milton and Wilma had a love of travel. They provided opportunities for travel by going on many family vacations, even after their children had families of their own. Their adventures took them to all 50 states. Education was also very important to them, and they supported their children in their higher-education endeavors.
Toward the end of Milton’s farming career, he and Wilma owned and operated Roth’s Family Restaurant near Interstate 80, Milford. Milton enjoyed helping in the kitchen, working the cash register, drinking coffee with customers, and making connections and friendships. Working together with Wilma until 2007 in the restaurant business was very rewarding.
He enjoyed playing games and putting puzzles together, especially Rook and Mexican Train Dominoes, with his family and friends. He looked forward to playing Forty-Two Dominoes with other men, his cousins and friends. Watching his grandchildren compete in sporting events and participate in a variety of other activities was something he thoroughly loved and looked forward to. He was one of their biggest fans.
Milton loved people and greeted everyone with a smile. He was quick to strike up a conversation, even with a stranger. He freely gave hugs to those he loved. He also had a love for his Lord. He and Wilma spent time each day reading the Bible and praying for their own family, their Beth-El Church family and friends and the needs of others.
Milton will be greatly missed by his wife, Wilma; his children and their spouses, Dawn and Jim Swihart (Ohio), Victoria and Scott Chapman (Texas), Orlando and Toni Roth (Milford), and Janell and Dale Neff (Pennsylvania); 13 grandchildren, Asher (Heather), Aaron (Andrea), Abigail, and Asa (Marissa) Swihart, Jesse and Jaden Chapman, Anthony, Benjamin, Nicholas and Dominick Roth, and Addison, Alyssa and Alexandria Neff; eight great-grandchildren, Eva, Arela, Ruby, Stella, Emery, Kaison, Micaiah, Aurora, and two more on the way. He is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in law, Bonnie Roth, Ruth and Lonnie Vogt, Joyce Sears, Norman and Linda Yoder, and Beverly Breiner. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Milton was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Stella Roth; parents in-law, Vernon and Phoebe Yoder; brothers, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law, Willard and Edna Roth, Burdette Roth, Darold Roth, Arnold Roth, Merlin Roth, Wilfred Yoder, Wallace and Nelda (Vogt) Yoder, Elwood and Elda Yoder, Lawrence Yoder, Belva and Jerry Rapp, Elaine and Orie Roth, Charles Sears, and Sylvia Yoder. He is also preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Faith Elizabeth Swihart, and several other nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was Jan. 6 at Beth-El Community Church in Milford with a graveside service at the Milford Mennonite Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the family for a later designation. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services.
