John Lyle Rothermich

John Lyle Rothermich was born on October 17, 1957 to Robert and Rilla (Search) Rothermich. John grew up in the beautiful Ozark hills of Missouri. He was proud to help run the family ranch as a young boy. His parents were rodeo stock contractors and he enjoyed growing up around that and helping with the many other aspects of rodeo and ranching life. John grew up in a large family and was always remembered as the kind, caring and loving brother. He was proud of his family and especially loved his parents and all they taught him.

 

In 1976, John married Peggy Thompson and together they raised four children: Sheila, John Jr., Steve and Shelby. In 1986, John and Peggy decided to take a leap of faith and move to Colorado so they could start their own logging business. It was always a dream of John’s to move out West and live in what he called “God’s Country.” They did just that, and ran a successful logging business for many years, while raising their family. John enjoyed living in the west and teaching his children to appreciate the beauty of the mountains and all they had to offer. He enjoyed loading everyone up to take a “Sunday drive” to the mountains to enjoy the scenery, look at wildlife, fish, or just to teach his children about anything he could! Being a logger, his family spent many, many days and weeks in the mountains with him during the weekends and on summer breaks. Growing up in a camper and around a campfire, his family enjoyed living out his dream with him. He was truly happiest during these times surrounded by his family and being able to be in the mountains. As his boys grew older, they too joined in the family business and enjoyed working alongside their dad in the log woods. That truly was some of John’s proudest moments. His children remember as kids they’d pack lunches and take ATV rides up to the very highest mountain peaks. They would sit together eat their lunches and talk and laugh together about the world below. They really felt like they were on top of the world.

 

John never took traditional vacations with his kids. You would never catch him in places where there were large crowds and chaos. He preferred road trip vacations where he could teach his children things along the way. His children remember trips to Nevada, California’s Redwood Forest, and drives up the coastline. He believed in road trips so his children “could see the country.” The family took many trips back and forth to Missouri to visit family as well, sometimes multiple times a year. The children remember lots of laughs, music, and times when dad made them “just stop talking” so they could “enjoy the ride and he could hear himself think!” 

 

John and Peggy divorced in 2009 and John returned to Missouri not long after to help his family take care of his sister while she was battling cancer. He was a caregiver and would help anyone in need, family or not. His heart was so big, and he passed that on to his children! He believed in helping people whenever you could. 

 

John worked hard his entire life. He taught his children the importance of hard work and honesty. He wanted his children to know how much he loved them and would pick up the phone to talk with any of them no matter what time of day. He listened, gave advice when needed, comforted and taught them to keep their heads up and persevere through life’s many challenges. He always made sure your tires were good, oil was checked, and asked if you had plenty of gas when you were around him. He wanted his kids to be safe and taken care of all the time. He was a loving father, brother, son, and friend to so many.

 

John is survived by his four children, Sheila (Charlie) Sanchez of Alamosa, Colorado, John (Shauna) Rothermich, Jr. of Alamosa, Colorado, Steve (Racheal) Rothermich of Monte Vista, Colorado and Shelby (Michael) Roof of Pennsylvania. John also had eight grandchildren, Peyton and Landon Sanchez, Tracen, Aubrey and Addison Rothermich, Jentrie and Jolie Rothermich, and Alexis Ward. John is also survived by his mother, Rilla Rothermich of Pomona, Missouri; two sisters, Shelly (Skip) McIntire of West Plains, Missouri and Kim (David) Ivins of Willow Springs, Missouri; and one brother, Robert (Dee) Rothermich of Pomona, Missouri. John also has numerous nieces and nephews that were very special to him.    

 

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Rothermich; brother, Steve Rothermich; sister, Sherry Schulz; and an infant sister, Elaine.

 

Cremation was chosen and the family will have a Celebration of Life at a later date, in the mountains, just as John would've wanted it.   

 

Arrangements by The Springs Funeral Services, tsfs.co