Alfred G. Voth
HESSTON - Alfred G. Voth, 86,
died Saturday (Oct. 6, 2007) at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. He was born Aug.
23, 1921, in Newton to Jacob A. and Maria (Unruh) Voth. On Feb. 23, 1944, he
married Clara Neufeld in Newton. She survives at home. He was a member of the
First Mennonite Church in Newton where he served on the Board of Deacons and
taught Sunday School for more than 30 years. He served his country in World War
II as a non-combatant. He served in jail ministries at the Harvey County Jail,
was on the Walton School Board and was past president of Gideon's
International.
He worked in lumber yards in
Newton area for 17 years. In 1971, he started First Step Industries, which was
incorporated into USD 373 Alternative High School in 1975. He continued to
teach until his retirement. He looked forward to spending time with his many
friends and loving family. He also enjoyed fishing and camping.
In 1971, Voth began a
"Habilitative program for juvenile offenders." With help from his
brother, Larry, and his old track coach from Bethel College, Otto D. Unruh,
then a probation officer, Voth formed First Step Industries, Inc. With its
innovative structure tying payment for work to good work habits, First Step
eventually had a rehabilitation success rate of 85 percent.
He began working with young
men on probation, teaching handyman and construction skills with a heavy dose
of good work habits.
With only one year of
college, Voth was required to take college courses, working toward his degree
in order to get a provisional teaching certificate.
In the early days, Warren
Flamming was his first co-teacher, followed by Mike Doerksen and Nathan Dyck.
In 1983, at age 63, Voth graduated from Bethel College.
First Step won several state
and national awards, including Outstanding Vocational Special Needs Teacher of
the Year in 1986.
After retirement, there was
more time for fishing and camping, with Spring Lake and Harvey County East Lake
being favorite spots. Joined by his wife's siblings, they would park for days
or weeks, and he fished to his heart's content often giving away some of the
catch.
About 2000, Voth was
diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, in part because of a family history of the
disease. They moved into an apartment in independent living at Schowlater
Villa.
Survivors include his wife,
Clara Voth of Hesston; daughters, Roberta (Birdie) and Tim Vandermolen of
Morton Grove, Ill., Mary (Cookie) and David Wiebe of Newton; son, John and
Colleen Voth of Derby; brothers, Harold and Vernelle Voth of Haven and Lawrence
and Jane Voth of North Newton; and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by
his sister, Gladys Reimer, granddaughter, Bethany Ann Wiebe; and his parents.
Service will be at 10 a.m.
Tuesday at First Mennonite Church with the Pastor Clarence Rempel officiating.
Visitation will be from 1 to
9 p.m. today at Petersen Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Gideon's
International.
