Published in the Herald News (Joliet, IL) on Jun. 3, 2009:

Ronald W. Roth, 71, of Peru, died at 4:50 a.m. on Monday, Jun. 1 at Manor Court in Peru. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jun. 4, in the Mueller Funeral Home in Peru followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Valentine Church in Peru with the Rev. William Gardner, pastor, officiating. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, at the funeral home with liturgical prayers recited at 4 p.m.

Rev. Roth was born on Jun. 23, 1937 in LaSalle to William and Valerie (Wengrowski) Roth. He was a graduate of St. Bede Academy and LPO Junior College. He graduated from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, and then the seminary in Kansas City. He was ordained a priest in the Peoria Diocese and served as a priest for 25 years, including churches in Oglesby and Lostant. He also served in Peoria and Tucumcari, N.M. He was former director of prayer and healing in the Peoria Diocese and appeared on talk shows including the Oprah Winfrey Show, Joan Rivers Show, and the 700 Club. Ron, along with Paul Funfsinn, founded Full Life Fellowship, now known as Celebrating Life. Ron published seven books including the Healing Path of Prayer.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by cousins. Memorials may be directed to Celebrating Life Ministries, P.O. Box 1064, LaSalle, IL 61301.