Methel Benroth 1920-2012
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.
Stories Posted This Week
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 24
- Are you a friend of the Bluffton Public Library?
- Weekend Doctor: What you need to know about flu season
- Courtney Linke joins CNB as VP Business Banking Officer
- Blanchard Valley Health System Announces Updates to Board of Trustees
- Blanchard Valley Health Foundation Announces Changes to Board of Directors
Friday, October 23, 2026
- Village of Bluffton announces late afternoon drill at Bluffton Schools, October 23
- October 23 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Pirate volleyball eliminated in sectionals by Archbold
- Pirate boys soccer knocked off by Bath
- Main St. closure rescheduled; parapet work to take place Oct. 27
- Bluffton student to reflect on diabetes research experience
- Bluffton University receives $8,000 Stinner Summit award for youth agricultural and environmental education
- Elections matter, including midterms
Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 22
- ICAPP study: Ohioans strongly oppose data center expansion and tax breaks
- Pirate girls soccer ousts rival Allen East in sectionals
- Strawberry Fields Forever: Fruit polyphenols and brain health
- Last call for Bluffton Cars & Coffee for 2026
- Icon calendar gets a little more elbow room
- Bluffton Board of Education recap: Contracts for coaches and new bus driver
- Bluffton Lions Club update for October 2026
- Bluffton chamber photo competition display and reception announced
- Bluejays and buzzards catch the eye of this Accounting prof
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 21
- Village of Beaverdam requests suggestions for park grant application
- Charles “Chuck” Wendall Collins, 63, owned Eagle Press Repairs
- Dwain L. Leiber, 87, owned Leiber Garage
- Kimberly Dawn Murphy, 55, taught at Findlay City Schools
- Kaleidoscope Farms honoring veterans, thanking current troops, Nov. 8
- Filmmaker to preview documentary exploring life beyond incarceration
- ONU mobile health clinic at Senior Center on Oct. 28