Dr. Orville L. Voth
Dr. Orville L. Voth, 84,
passed away Monday (Sept. 22, 2008) at St. Francis' Harry Hynes Memorial
Hospice in Wichita following a stroke. Orville was born Jan. 4, 1924, in
Rothern, Saskatchewan, Canada, the son of John J. and Maricha Voth. He grew up
as a Bethel College campus kid and was a graduate of Newton High School and
Bethel College in North Newton. In 1943, he was drafted into Civilian Public
Service, serving at Fort Collins, Colo., and Kalamazoo, Mich. Orville leaves
the love of his life of 63 years of marriage. He married Helen M. Voran of
Belmont on Jan. 7, 1945, in rural Kingman County.
He continued his education at
Oklahoma State University, earning a Master of Science in chemistry and a minor
in physiology. He earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry with a minor in bacteriology
and organic chemistry from Pennsylvania State University.
His professional career began
at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, where he returned in later years as
the vice president of academic affairs. He filled the position of interim
academic dean and president at Bethel College and ended his career as director
of independent study at The University of Kansas.
He was a member of Bethel
College Mennonite Church, where he served on various committees and boards. He
was active in the Kansas Silver-Haired Legislature, senior centers and civic
organizations, and he enjoyed participating in community theater and musical
groups. Other interests included fishing, painting, ham radio, writing,
photography and woodworking.
Orville also leaves behind
four daughters, Judy Fisk of Salina, Marian Robinson of Newton, Kathryn
McChesney Voth (Neil) of Hesston and Peggy Voth (Gloria) of Lawrence; six
grandchildren, Randy Schriner, Kimberly Walker, Elizabeth Robinson, Rochelle
Robinson, Shane McChesney and Andrea McChesney; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by
his sister, Mildred Schenkel.
Visitation will be from 6 to
8 p.m. Thursday at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton.
Graveside services will be at
Restlawn Cemetery in Newton.
A celebration of his life
will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton.
Memorials are suggested to
Bethel College.
