Methel I. Benroth, 91, of Bluffton died at 11:12 am Jan. 15, 2012, at Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. She was born March 26, 1920 near Gomer to Oscar M. and Jessie M. Caskie Renner. On March 26, 1941, she married Merlin Benroth and he preceded her in death on May 30, 1987.
Mrs. Benroth owned Methel's Beauty Shop and M & M Beauty Shop. She has also worked at Evans Clothing Store and A-Z Meats. She was a member of the Bluffton Presbyterian Church and Past Worthy Matron of the former Bluffton Order of the Eastern Star. She was a graduate of Gomer High School.
Survivors include two daughters, Melanie (Robert) Bendele of Gomer, Mary Jane (Mike) Zimmerman of Roach, Mo., two sons, Melvin (Jacqui) Benroth of Columbus Grove, Martin (Jayne) Benroth of Bluffton, 11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, and two sisters, Marjorie Bourne of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Norma Martz of Cairo.
She was preceded in death by two infant sons, Michael and Jimmy Benroth, a grandson, Neil Mathewson, two sons-in-law, Gordon Mathewson and John Arnold, three brothers, Orman, John and Dale Renner and two sisters, Mary Humphreys and Helen Lewis.
Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services, Bluffton. Matthew Arnold will officiate. Burial will be in Vaughnsville Cemetery, Vaughnsville.
Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Memorial Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
