(Archbold Resident)
Shelia Roth, age 80 years, of Archbold, passed away early Sunday morning, January 12, 2025, at StoryPoint in Waterville after a long battle with dementia. Her best friend of 63 years, Gene, was by her side.
Born on June 17, 1944, to Lester and Ilva (Johnson) Wyse, she was one of four children and is survived by her sister, Colleen Kelly, (Gordonsville, VA).
Shelia grew up in Archbold, Ohio where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Gene Roth. After getting married, they moved to Indiana and had their first child, Traci Roth, moved to Michigan and had their second child, Troy (Jan) Roth, Montpelier, and then moved to Minnesota and had their third and final child, Toni (Joe) Sullivan, Archbold.
Then in 1976, they decided to move back to Woodland Oaks, in Archbold, to continue raising their family surrounded by family. Only briefly moving out when Gene accidently burned the house down while Shelia was out of town.
Once the kids were mostly grown, Shelia went to work at the McLaughlin Memorial Public Library. It was the perfect place to work because she loved to read. She also loved seeing all the kids who came across the street during study hall.
Many would choose to stand around talking to her instead of studying. After retiring, Shelia volunteered at the FCHC gift shop. Another perfect place for her because she was a natural at decorating. While she was healthy, her homes always looked beautiful inside and out.
Shelia grew up Lutheran but happened to fall in love and marry a Mennonite. Together they decided on an adventure and chose to raise their family Methodist.
After moving back to Archbold, they attended Archbold United Methodist Church where she became a member and would help serve on different committees throughout her life.
When it came to people, Shelia loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much. They were some of her very favorite people. Chelsea (Dustin) Marteney, Morgan (Grayson) Crist, Tyler Courtright, and CJ Roth. Along with the most delightful additions, Colter Crist and PJ Crist.
She also loved her nieces and nephews along with her cousins. There were many fond childhood memories with her cousins that she repeatedly talked about.
Shelia also had many friends throughout her life that she loved but her favorite right up until the end was her best one, Gene.
So much laughter was had between these two. Even through difficult life heartaches they both were still able to find laughter once again. Although Shelia once told Gene, “You think you’re funny, but you’re really not as funny as you think you are.” And we all never forgot it.
Shelia was preceded in death by her daughter, Traci Jean (TJ), her parents, Lester and Ilva, her sister, Jan Kleck, her brother, Stu Wyse, her in-laws Glen and Wilma, her sister and brother-in-law, Betty Lou and Earle Yoder, and her brother-in-law, Tom Roth.
Services will be held on February 3, at 11 AM at Archbold United Methodist Church with Pastor Mary Kay officiating. Private Interment will precede at the Lockport Cemetery. Friends may call on February 2, at the church from 1 to 6 PM.
Short Funeral Home in Archbold has been entrusted with the arrangements. The family suggests that memorials be given to Archbold Public Library or the Archbold United Methodist Church.