Janet Roth, 89, of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Addington Place in Mt. Pleasant. Mrs. Roth, the former Janet Marie Eyre, was born August 25, 1937 in Iowa Falls, IA. She was the daughter of Walter B. and Helen Pauline (Hauber) Eyre. She moved with her family to Burlington where she graduated from Burlington High School in 1955. She continued her education at Iowa State University, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development.
Janet accepted a position with the Children’s Developmental Program in Muncie, IN. While in Muncie, Janet met George Van Der Heyden. The couple was married in June of 1961 in Burlington. During her time in Indiana, Janet was conferred with her Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology from Ball State University. Janet and George divorced in 1968. Janet returned to make her home in Iowa. Following her return to Iowa, Janet met Robert Ralph “Bob” Roth. The couple was united in marriage on June 20, 1975 in the Chapel of First United Methodist Church of Mt.Pleasant.
Janet and Bob were married for 50 years until Bob’s passing on April 24, 2026 at their home in Mt. Pleasant. When she returned to Iowa, Janet accepted a position with the Henry County School System as a Speech Therapist from 1968-1969. She continued as a Speech Therapist as the Henry County School System merged into the Area Education Agency (AEA) 16. AEA 16 evolved into the Great River AEA and later the Great Prairie AEA. Janet remained with all of the agencies as a Speech Therapist until her retirement in the early 2000’s. Janet was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Mt. Pleasant. Professionally, she was a member of ASLA (American Speech and Language Association) and ISEA (Iowa State Education Association). Retirement did not slow Janet down, as she became a volunteer at the Henry County Health Center where she became the President of the Henry County Health Center Auxiliary. Janet belonged to the Wednesday Club, and enjoyed playing golf and bridge. She was one of the original members of the “Bridge Babes” group. She loved to attend the activities of her grandchildren.
Those thankful for sharing in Janet’s life include her son and his wife, Mark and Janean Van Der Heyden of Maxwell, NE; 2 step-sons – Tim Roth of San Diego, CA and Steve Roth and his wife Tammy of Washington, IA; a brother and his wife, David and Susan Eyre of Houston, TX; a sister and her husband, Nancy and Terry Monroe of Stillwater, OK; 8 grandchildren – Jessica Van Der Heyden, Michael Van Der Heyden, Stephanie McConahay, Joe Roth, Rob Roth and Mackenzie, Matt and Lindsay; 8 great grandchildren – Leven, Laeken, Hayley, Conor, Wyatt, Rowan, Ava and Jack, and several nieces and nephews and their families. Her parents, husband Bob, son Scott Van Der Heyden and sister Ruth Eyre precede Janet indeath. Per Janet’s wishes, cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Friends may stop by the funeral home to sign the register book from 12Noon to 5 PM on Wednesday, Sept. 30th at the Kimzey Funeral Home. A visitation with the family present will be from 12:30-1:30 PM on Thursday, October 1st at the funeral home.
A memorial funeral service for Janet will be held at 1:30 PM on Thursday, Oct. 1 at Kimzey Funeral Home. Janet and Bob’s longtime neighbor, Pastor Jeffery A. McPheron of the Trenton/Wesley Chapel United Methodist Churches, will officiate. Burial will be at later date in the Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington. In lieu of floral tributes, those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Summer Sacks Lunch Program of the Fellowship Cup in Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.