James E. Roth, Sr.

James E. “Jim” Roth, Sr., 70, of Springfield, died at 4:04 p.m. on Sunday, June 3, 2007 at St. John’s Hospital. Jim was born in Cleveland, OH on January 1, 1937, the adopted son of Edward J. and Lea Chatel Roth. He married Constance Dush in 1961 at St. William’s Church in Euclid, OH at Mass celebrated by his cousin, the Rev. John R. Rathfon. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland and earned a B.A. cum laude and an M.A. from John Carroll University. He was a member of Alpha Psi Omega (drama) and Phi Alpha Theta (history) national honor fraternities and President of the JCU Theatre Society. He completed doctoral studies at the University of Chicago and later studied as a Kellogg Fellow at Illinois State University. Jim was a professor of history and political science at several institutions of higher education, including: the University of Illinois – Chicago, Indiana University – Northwest and Chicago City Colleges, where at Malcolm X College he was Chairman of the Social Science Department and Director of a Federal cooperative program developed between Malcolm X and Roosevelt University. He retired from the Illinois State Board of Education after more than twenty years in higher education, as a member of the Illinois Community College Board, and an administrator in Adult Education. He received a number of awards from the U.S. Office of Education and the President’s Award from the Illinois Adult and Continuing Education Association (1991). Jim managed and coached in a variety of youth baseball leagues in the Springfield area for many years. He was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers’ Association, the State Universities’ Annuitants Association, AARP, and a volunteer with Friend in Deed and the Chamber of Commerce PLAE DAE. He was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in 1988. He is survived by his wife of over 45 years: Constance K. Roth of Springfield; one daughter: Jane (fiancé, Gino DeAngelo) Roth of Honolulu, HI; one son: James E. (wife, Jing) Roth, Jr. of Olympia, WA and two grandchildren: Austin and Aidan Roth. The family welcomes friends to visit from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2007 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremonies will be held there at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 8, 2007, with Rev. Robert Franzen officiating. Cremation will be accorded following funeral ceremonies by Butler Cremation Tribute Center, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. John’s Hospital Foundation, ICU Unit, 800 E. Carpenter, Springfield, Illinois 62702 or charity of donor’s choice.