Obituary of Betty Jean Roth

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Betty Jean (Miller) Roth

Betty Jean (Miller) Roth, 94, died on November 10, 2025, in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. She was born August 20, 1931, in Shipshewana, Indiana, to Irwin and Mildred (Yoder) Miller. She grew up on the family farm with 7 siblings and graduated from Shipshewana High School. Betty was a faithful contributor to the churches to which her family belonged, beginning at Shore Mennonite Church in Shipshewana with her grandfather Josiah Miller being pastor for over 50 years. In 1954, Betty graduated from Ontario Mennonite Bible Institute at First Mennonite in Kitchener. Here she met Vernon Glenn Roth, who would become her loving spouse of over 70 years, following their marriage on June 26, 1955. In April 1956, they left for a 1-year Voluntary Service term to Saginaw, Michigan under the Elkhart Mission board. Upon returning from Voluntary Service, Betty and Vernon moved to Stratford Ontario in 1957. Here they attended Avon Mennonite Church, and raised their family while Betty worked part-time at a nursing home until the family moved to Breslau in 1973. Betty taught Sunday School and enjoyed being a lively song leader in church service. She shared her love of music and the joy of singing with her children, and Vern as they sang together in Mennonite Mass Choir. She joined numerous other Breslau moms in working part-time at Sears Fairview Park Mall for many years, serving customers in the catalogue department. 

Betty gave life and love to four children: Ann (Paul) Reesor of Markham; Janet (John) Wagler of Kitchener; Daryl Roth of Kitchener; and Don Roth (Gwen Page) of Bayfield. Grandma is fondly remembered by twelve grandchildren who she gifted with a personally hand-crafted quilt, and plentiful home-made noodles and pies: Chris and Matthew Reesor; Jennifer Wagler (Ryan Locke), Dan Wagler (Emma Toth); Lily and Micah Roth; and Chris Clemmer (Michelle James), Ally Schmidt, Elise Roth (Jacob Ernst), Laura Roth (Jordan Lafranier), Julia Roth (Mike Ramoutsakis), and Sophie Roth (Max Wright). Betty was also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Zachary Schmidt, Henry and Oliver Locke, and Torren Clemmer. 

Betty loved to reminisce and share memories about her life growing up on the family farm. It was a simple life with a simple faith, filled with work and recreation with her siblings. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson Jonathon Reesor, and five of her siblings and their spouses: Earnest (Ruth) Miller, Waneta (Payson) Miller, Richard (Lois) Miller, Kenny (Bertha) Miller, Sue (Ezra) Byler, and sister-in-law Barbara Miller and brother-in-law Dennis Buerge. She is survived by loving siblings James Lee Miller of Shipshewana Indiana and Jo Ann Buerge of Indianapolis Indiana and sister-in-law Marjorie Roth of Julesburg Colorado. Numerous nieces and nephews in our extended family across Canada and the United States fondly remember Betty, her Mennonite faith, and our shared values. 

In 2017, they moved to Fairview Mennonite Home in Cambridge and lived in the independent apartments.  We are thankful for the fellowship and support from staff, their friends and residents that they shared during this final chapter. We are also thankful for the care provided by Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Chicopee site of WRHN, and the family-oriented care provided by the staff team at St. Andrews Terrace Long-Term Care Home.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at Breslau Mennonite Church, 226 Woolwich St. S, Breslau, on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the church on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the Church Hall. Interment to follow at Breslau Mennonite Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Canada or the United States and may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.