Today, we celebrate Joan Rothwell’s peaceful homecoming into eternity as promised to us by the mouth of Jesus in John 3:16. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends as we wait to see her again.
Joan was born August 4, 1944, in Los Angeles, CA; the middle of nine children born to Marva and Harvey Millett. Her childhood was full of adventures in the shadows of Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. She met her husband, Merle Rothwell, more than 63 years ago at a USO Dance in the Lito Ballroom, Long Beach Pike, where he was to be shipped out across the Pacific during the Vietnam conflict. They married on August 29, 1964.
In July of 196, they both accepted Jesus’ offer of forgiveness and a new life after visiting a local church. It is in Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa that they grew in their new faith under the solid Bible teachings of Pastor Chuck Smith. They attended Calvary Chapel Bible College in Twin Peaks, CA, in 1993 where Merle was ordained to be a pastor and Joan wrote two books detailing their adventures of whole-heartedly serving the Lord where she hoped to encourage others to be bold in sharing their faith.
In their lifetime together, Joan and Merle adventured in California, Oregon and Kansas pouring the Good News of God’s love into so many hearts and lives. Settling in Wilsey, Kansas, in 2003, they opened the Bible Information Center (BIC) where individuals watch video teachings of the Bible every week. Joan had a passion to tell everyone (even in her last days) of the truth found in the Bible.
They had three girls, Janene (Jeremy), Sheila (Jack) and Tracy (Richard), and adopted their son, Scott (Jacque), in 1983. Their immediate family has grown to more than 60 persons; including grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Scott preceded everyone into eternity in 1993.
Early on, they opened their home to many families and individuals who needed a place of encouragement to learn and grow. Together, Joan and Merle served as foster parents (long and short term) of more than 200 displaced children. Their home was always a place of refuge to anyone who needed a warm meal and clean bed.
One of Joan’s great adventures was meeting a Japanese KU student at a laundromat. Joan took this family under her wings and showed them kindness by including them in meals and American holidays. Joan gave Sachiko a Bible and took her to church where she heard the gospel message. Sachiko published a book in Japan to help other students so far from home adjust to American culture. The cover of the book was a photo of Joan and her family.
Per Joan’s request, there will be no memorial or funeral service. Thank you to everyone who showered their love and prayers on her before she passed.
In lieu of gifts and flowers, donations can be made to Calvary Bible School, 102 S. 3rd St., Wilsey, KS 66873.