Paul E. Roth, 62 of Avon

died Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Avera St. Michael's Hospital in Tyndall, SD. His funeral service will be 10:30 am Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church in Avon, with burial in the church cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation will be at the church from 11 am to 7 pm Tuesday, followed by a prayer service.

Paul Edwin Roth, son of Edwin and Sylvia (Buchholz) Roth, was born June 29, 1946 at Tripp, SD. He died unexpectedly Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Avera St. Michael's Hospital in Tyndall, SD. Paul attained the age of 62 years, ten months and 18 days.

Paul attended Vesper #93 Country School through the eighth grade. He served in the U.S. National Guard from 1964 to 1969. Paul married Lyla Lukkes on April 6, 1974 at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon. Six children were born to their union. They farmed north of Avon for 35 years.

Paul was baptized on July 28, 1946 and confirmed on May 29, 1960 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Avon. He was a faithful member all of his life, serving in many different capacities. Paul also was a member of the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association and a former member of the Avon Saddle Club. Paul played on the Church Softball Team for many years.

Paul will be remembered for his enjoyment of horses, playing pinochle and softball. He loved giving his grandchildren tractor rides. Paul was a very kind and loving man with a quiet strength.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Lyla of Avon; four daughters: Tara Sheldon and husband Todd of Yankton, Lora Ersland and husband Paul of Madison, Dana Althoff and husband Scott of Aberdeen, and Sara Klein and husband Darby of Chamberlain; son, Eric of Avon; seven grandchildren: Andrew, Alex and Aaron Ersland; Joshua and Matthew Sheldon; and Bradin and Liby Althoff; his father Edwin of Avon; four brothers: David, Charles and wife Vicki, all of Avon, Robert and wife Delores of Aberdeen, and Gary and wife Carol of Delmont; three sisters: Mary Bauder and husband Wilbur of Scotland, Arlett Richardson and husband Terry of Coloma, MI, and Ruth Ann Robinson and husband Karl of Yankton; his parents-in-laws, Jim and Carol Lukkes of Avon; brothers and sisters-in-law: Joan (Tony) Czmowski of Milbank, Arnold (Pam) Lukkes of Lennox, Brenda (Eli) Bailey of LaVernia, TX, and Jim (Mary) Lukkes of Avon; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his son, Darin in 1982; his mother Sylvia in 2006; an infant sister, Mavis; sister-in-law: Lorraine Roth in 2007; and a niece, Melissa Roth in 1992.