Gary Wayne “Ape Man” Roth Services Postponed

Gary Wayne “Ape Man” Roth, 61, of Salem, died Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Iowa Methodist Hospital, Des Moines.
He was born December 27, 1959 in Missouri to Wilbert and Agnes Wagoner. In 1966, he was adopted by George Emil and Betty Jane Blythe Roth. On July 6, 1982, he married Jane Ann Fisher. He was a member of Faith Christian Outreach Church in Mt. Pleasant and baptized there in 2014.
Gary held many jobs through the years. He was a truck driver, worked security for Jake McVey, and was a jack of all trades. He loved to volunteer for the Red Cross, working in flood recovery, was a volunteer fire fighter for the Pawnee Rock, Kansas Fire Department, and worked security for the Henry County Fair, Old Threshers, Steamboat Days, and the Ft. Madison Rodeo. He received the Governor’s Award for his volunteerism at Community Action. He was a member of the Paddlewheelers and Iris City CB Clubs. He enjoyed fishing, animals, country and gospel music, helping to build things, racing, watching Westerns, martial arts and Scooby Doo on TV. He had a great sense of humor.
Gary is survived by his wife, Jane of Salem; two sons, Little Gary (Samantha) Roth of Burlington and Christopher Roth of Salem; three daughters, Tammy Bencze of Ottumwa, Melanie Stanton of Missouri, and Crystal (Justin) Wilson of Kirksville, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren; one brother, Steve (Cindy) Roth of Milan, Illinois; nieces, nephews and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by both sets of parents; brothers Larry, David, Paul and Bill Wagoner; sister Naomi Dalton; and granddaughter Jazmine.
Funeral services have been postponed until Friday.
Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.