Obituary of Melvin D. Roth

Melvin D. Roth, 80, longtime Coralville resident died suddenly, Wednesday, March 9, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, March 14, 2016, at First Mennonite Church in Iowa City, with burial at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Sunday, March 13th, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Iowa Mennonite High School and Mennonite Disaster Service in Melvin's memory. Online condolences can be sent for his family through the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com. Melvin Dean Roth was born October 16, 1935, in Milford, NE the son of Joseph L. and Rosa (Stutzman) Roth. Melvin was one of 11 children growing up on the family farm. He moved to Iowa and attended Iowa Mennonite School the last two years of high school. On September 20, 1958, he married Alice Leichty in Wayland, Iowa. The couple made their home in Coralville, raising their five children. Melvin worked in the construction trade as a carpenter either as self-employed or for a number of different firms throughout the years, retiring at the age of 62. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and simply tinkering on most anything from cars to his yard and garden. For a number of years you would see him driving his restored 1930 Model A in area parades. He later found a 1957 Chevy that became his car of choice. He loved watching sports and cheering on the Hawkeyes. Melvin was a man of strong faith, and sincere love for all of his family! He is survived by his wife, Alice; their children, Marty Roth (Selina), Becky Van Houwe (Dave), Dan Roth (Teri), Donna Stutsman (Scott), and Joanna Hildreth; 8 grandchildren, Jonathan and Lauren Van Houwe, Tiffany and Shelby Roth, Logan and Brooke Stutsman, Jamie and Kelsey Hildreth; Melvin's brother, Glen Roth; brothers-in-law, Vernon Leichty (Karen), Ronnie Leichty (Karen), Clarence Leichty (Julie), Leland Leichty (Esther); sisters-in-law, Jeanene Roth and Dorothy Leichty, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 brothers and 3 sisters and 2 brothers-in-law. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Melvin's family and his services.