In Memoriam
Obituary information is provided by district offices to the Synod’s Office of Rosters and Statistics. Any questions about content should be referred, therefore, to the appropriate district office. — Ed.
Ordained
ALMS, RICHARD L. REV., June 15, 1935, Spring Valley, Wis., to October 11, 2016, Sterling, Va.; son of Oscar and Lydia (Dicke) Alms; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Buffalo, N.Y.; Baltimore, Md. Retired 2006. Survivors: Eileen (McAninch) Alms; sons: Kenneth, Steven, William. Funeral: October 14, 2016, Ellicot City, Md.
BARTELS, RALPH REV., May 15, 1933, McKeesport, Pa., to November 9, 2016, Manchester, Pa.; son of Emil and Elsie Bartels; colloquy 1982. Served 1982-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Columbia, Pa.; Springfield, Mass. Retired 1996. Preceded in death by his son Ronald. Survivors: Aileen (Bollman) Bartels; son: Richard. Funeral: November 17, 2016, York, Pa.: Interment: November 17, 2016, Columbia, Pa.
BRANDON, RICHARD D. REV., March 24, 1923, Portland, Ore., to October 2, 2016, Salem, Ore.; son of Elmer and Edna (Plog) Brandon; graduated Springfield Seminary 1971. Served 1971-1993. Ministries/Parishes: Baltimore, Md.; Papua, New Guinea; Seabeck, Wash.; Ghana, West Africa. Retired 1993. Survivors: Elizabeth (Schumacher) Brandon.; son: Paul; daughters: Christine, Susan, Mary, Martha. Memorial Service: November 5, 2016, Salem, Ore.
ELLING, NORMAN B. REV., and his wife Selma (Gudrian) Elling passed away November 14, 2016. Rev. Elling was born October 3, 1930, Geneseo, Ill.; son of Henry and Emily (Brauer) Elling; graduated Springfield Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Mt. Vernon, Latham, Peekskill, N.Y.; Pittsfield, Ill. Retired 1994. Survivors: sons: Paul, Mark, David. Funeral: November 19, 2016, Indianapolis, Ind.
FISCHER, CARL OTTO REV., September 1, 1924, Auburn, Mich., to October 6, 2016, Bellingham, Wash.; son of Rev. Frederick and Adela (Riess) Fischer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1949. Served 1949-1987. Ministries/Parishes: Glenn Ullin, Wimbledon, N.D.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Bellingham, Wash.; Northwest District Circuit Visitor 1991-1994. Retired 1987. Survivors: Eunice (Harthun) Fischer; son: Jonathan; daughter: Martha Bajema. Funeral: October 14, 2016, Bellingham, Wash.
FLORSCHUETZ, DUANE WILLIAM REV., July 31, 1933, Sublette, Ill., to November 15, 2016, Georgetown, Texas; son of Edgar and Luella (Baumann) Florschuetz; graduated Springfield Seminary 1971. Served 1971-1989. Ministries/Parishes: Alma, Mich.; Bryan, Round Rock, Texas. Retired 1989. Survivors: Mary (Strube) Floreschuetz; son: Alan; daughters: Deborah Grote, Becki Oldham, Laura Vaughn. Memorial Service: November 22, 2016, Georgetown, Texas; cremation.
GUNDERMANN, VERNON DALE REV., October 8, 1937, Fulda, Minn., to September 16, 2016, St. Louis. Mo.; son of Adolph and Meldred (Dierks) Gundermann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1963. Served 1963-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Arcadia, Iowa; Madison, Wis.; New Hope, Minn.; Kirkwood, Mo. Retired 2006. Survivors: Betty (Lorenz) Gundermann; sons: Peter, Thomas; daughters: Mary Williams, Sarah McCarthy. Memorial Services: September 25, 2016, Kirkwood, Mo. and September 27, 2016, Fulda, Minn.; Interment: September 27, 2016, Fulda, Minn.
HECK, JACK DUDLEY REV., May 23, 1930, Dayton, Ohio, to October 26, 2016, Kearney, Neb.; son of Ralph and Grace (Apple) Heck; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Cambridge, Grand Island, Neb.; Rock Springs, Wyo.; Denison, Iowa, Ogden, Utah. Retired 1992. Survivors: Charlene (Deis) Heck; sons: Keith, Rev. Kyle, Karl; daughters: Kirsten Hughes, Kathleen, Karolyne. Funeral and Interment: November 1, 2016, Kearney, Neb.
JACKSON, JOHN P. REV., October 11, 1938, Chicago, Ill., to March 29, 2016, Jacksonville, Fla.; son of Walter and Gertrude Jackson; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1979. Served 1979-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Baton Rouge, La.; Fair Hope, Ala.; Southern District circuit Visitor 1982-1989. Retired 2003. Survivors: Judy Jackson; sons: Rodney, Craig. Funeral: April 2, 2016, Jacksonville, Fla.
KING, ROBERT H. REV., April 1, 1922, Sunny South , Ala., to September 6, 2016, Jefferson City, Mo. son of Henry and Della (Bettis) King; graduated Greensboro Seminary 1949. Served 1949-1790, 1979-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Youngstown, Ohio; Chicago, River Forest, Ill.; Bloomington, Ind.; Freedom, Mo. Retired 1997. Survivors: Jean (McCord) King; son: Roger; daughters: Jocelyn, Jannelle. Celebration of Life: September 14, 2016, Jefferson City, Mo.
KLEMP, PAUL ARTHUR REV., August 1, 1939, Eau Claire, Wis., to September 28, 2016, White Bear Lake, Minn.; son of Eugene and Ruth (Frels) Klemp; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965. Served 1965-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Durand, Menomonie, Mondovi, Plum City, Wis.; Sherburn, Cologne, Minn.; Minnesota South District Circuit Visitor 1982-1988. Retired 1992. Survivors: Katherine (Hussmann) Klemp; sons: Philip, Peter, Matthew, Rev. Stephen, Marcus; daughters: Paula Wilson, Anna Martin, Sara Berwald. Funeral and Interment: October 3, 2016, Cologne, Minn.
KLOPFER, FREDERICK EARL REV., June 2, 1927, Terre Haute, Ind., to August 19, 2016, Canal Winchester, Ohio; son of Frederick and Lillian Klopfer; colloquy 1993. Joined LCMS as Emeritus 1993. Preceded in death by his wife Doris (Geissman) Klopfer. Survivors: son: Frederick; daughters: Sheryl Jensen, Jann Bunyard, Claire Gau. Funeral: September 3, 2016, Canal Winchester, Ohio; Interment: September 3, 2016, Columbus, Ohio.
KRAUS, THOMAS D. REV., March 6, 1933, Milwaukee, Wis., to November 12, 2016, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; son of David and Edna (Koglin) Kraus; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Berlin, Conn.; Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Pa. Retired 2002. Survivors: Gail (Fischer) Kraus; son: Paul; daughters: Christine, Ann, Katherine, Karin. Graveside Service: Mechanicsburg, Pa.
LIMMER, HARLAN LEE REV., April 12, 1938, Madison, S.D., to October 10, 2016, Spring, Texas; son of Theodore and Meta (Dubbe) Limmer; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1985. Served 1985-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Chicago, Ill.; Burlingame, Calif.; Northern Illinois District Circuit Visitor 1987-1990; California/Nevada/Hawaii District Circuit Visitor 1994-1999. Retired 2003. Survivors: Donna (Bremer) Limmer; sons: Jeffrey, Andrew, Joel, Douglas, Michael. Funeral and Interment: October 14, 2016, Spring, Texas.
LUECKE, JAMES ROBERT REV., June 8, 1929, Chicago, Ill., to November 11, 2016, Arlington, Texas; son of Rev. George and Martha (Kretzschmar) Luecke; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1984. Ministries/Parishes: Montrose, Los Angeles, Calif.; Ontario, Canada; Arlington, Texas. Retired 1984. Preceded in death by his wife Margaret (Johnson) Luecke and son Mark. Survivors: sons: Robert, James, John, David, Michael; daughter: Mary; stepsons: Richard, Jeffrey, Ronald, Jason; stepdaughter: Lana. Memorial Service: November 18, 2016, Arlington, Texas; cremation.
MEHL, DUANE PAUL REV., February 14, 1931, Arkansas City, Kan., to November 22, 2016, Oxford, Pa.; son of Paul and Anita (Von Fange) Mehl; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1988. Ministries/Parishes: Newark, Del.; St. Louis, Mo.; Charlottesville, Va. Retired 1988. Survivors: Dorothy (Pannell) Mehl; son: David; daughter: Jennifer Ferrara. Memorial Service: December 1, 2016, Wilmington, Del.
MILLER, ALBERT H. REV., December 18, 1926, LaGrange, Ill., to November 7, 2016, Houston, Texas; son of Albert and Edna (Theiss) Miller; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1950. Served 1950-1968, 1984-1987, 1989-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Chicago, Ill.; Brookfield, Wis.; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Houston, Texas; Texas District Circuit Visitor 1994-1996. Retired 1992. Preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Schelp) Miller and son Dale. Survivors: H. Lee (Mitschke) Miller; son: Douglas; daughters: Susan Arhelger, Christine Hansen; stepsons: Stephen, Mark. Funeral and Interment: November 11, 2016, Houston, Texas.
NACK, DELTON L. REV., November 23, 1940, S.D., to November 8, 2016, Crown Point, Ind.; son of Lawrence and Helen Nack; colloquy 1982. Served 1982-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Newton, Dunlap, Mattoon, Ill.; Central Illinois District Circuit Visitor 1991-1993. Retired 2005. Survivors: Judith Nack; sons: Christopher, Jonathan, Leslie. Memorial Service: November 12, 2016, Crown Point, Ind.
ORAVEC, RONALD D. REV., September 9, 1945, Cleveland, Ohio, to September 24, 2016, Buffalo, N.Y.; son of John and Ellen (Gesso) Oravec; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1971. Served 1971-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Dickson City, Pa.; Rome, North Tonawanda, N.Y.; Eastern District Circuit Visitor 1990-1994. Retired 2013. Preceded in death by his wife Lana (Herbert) Oravec. Survivors: sons: Daniel, David, John. Funeral and Interment: September 29, 2016, Wheatfield, N.Y.
PFOTENHAUER, PAUL EDWARD REV., October 1, 1924, Edmonton, Canada, to September 13, 2016, Santa Cruz, Calif.; son of Rev. Carl and Hannah (Kuring) Pfotenhauer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1952. Served 1952-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Portland, Ore.; Soquel, Calif. Retired 2003. Preceded in death by his wife Jean (Taylor) Pfotenhauer. Survivors: sons: Rock, Michael, Scott, Peter; daughters: Kristen Bank, Paula, Rachel Baranowski. Memorial Service: October 22, 2016, Soquel, Calif.; Interment: October 22, 2016, Santa Cruz, Calif.
PIERSON, MARION F. REV., May 5, 1932, Sturgis, Mich., to October 24, 2016, North Ridgeville, Ohio; son of Raymond and Martha (Gotsch) Pierson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Deep River, What Cheer, Iowa; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Port Huron, Mich.; Westlake, Ohio.; Ohio District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 1995. Survivors: Marilyn (Reed) Pierson; son: Christian; daughter: Tara. Funeral and Interment: October 27, 2016, Westlake, Ohio.
PUIG, CARLOS H. REV., July 27, 1925, Ponce, Puerto Rico, to September 5, 2016, Sugar Land, Texas; Colloquy 1978. Served 1979-1993. Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Mo. Retired 1993. Survivors: Marguerite (Woodmansee) Puig; son: Carlos; daughter: Carla Abramczyk. Memorial Service: October 22, 2016, Houston, Texas.
SCHMIDT, EUGENE E. REV., July 19, 1929, Freeland, Mich., to September 22, 2016, Topeka, Kan.; son of Otto and Alma (Kkoha) Schmidt; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Durango, Ignacio, Colo.; Kansas City, Topeka, Kan.; Kansas District President 1985-1994. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Carol Schmidt. Survivors: son: Stephen; daughters: Sheryl Speelman, Suzanne Peterson. Funeral and Interment: September 30, 2016, Topeka, Kan.
SCHMIDT, JAMES A. REV., July 9, 1938, Beatrice, Neb., to November 1, 2016, Santa Barbara, Calif.; son of Raymond and Lillian (Becker) Schmidt; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1962. Served 1962-1994, 1998-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Omaha, Neb.; Rancho Palos Verdes, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Calif.; Pacific Southwest District Circuit Visitor 1987-1994. Retired 2002. Survivors: VeLoyce (Schweer) Schmidt; sons: Neil, Kirk; daughter: Jenelle. Memorial Service: December 3, 2016, Santa Barbara, Calif.; Interment: November 4, 2016, Santa Barbara, Calif.
SCHUBERT, ALFRED W. JR. REV., September 12, 1937, St. Louis, Mo., to November 3, 2016, San Antonio, Texas; son of Alfred Sr. and Mildred (Ulrich) Schubert; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1962. Served 1962-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Houston, San Antonio, Texas; Logansport, Indianapolis, Ind.; Hattiesburg, Miss.; Southern District Circuit Visitor 1994-1997. Retired 1999. Survivors: Georgie (Lapp) Schubert; sons: Rev. Alfred III, Matthew, Theodore.
SCHUTH, PAUL ROBERT REV., April 23, 1947, Elgin, Ill., to September 17, 2016, Elgin, Ill.; son of Rev. Louis and Ruth (Sauer) Schuth; graduated Springfield Seminary 1973. Served 1973-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Purdy, Wash.; Bedford, Ind.; Crystal Lake, Ill. Retired 2013. Survivors: Mary Schuth; sons: David, Jon; daughters: Amy Paxton, Kathy; step-sons: Scott, Dann. Funeral: September 24, 2016, Elgin, Ill.
SEGOVIA, CARLOS MARTIN REV., October 27, 1938, Austin, Texas, to October 29, 2016, Pasadena, Texas; son of Rev. Felix and Elizabeth (Escobedo) Segovia; colloquy 1983. Served 1983-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Dallas, Laredo, Galena Park, Texas; Corona, N.Y. Retired 1998. Survivors: Oralia (Urve) Segovia; sons: Hector, Carlos, Luis; daughters: Melba Markowitz, Karla Lopez. Funeral: November 3, 2016, Pasadena, Texas; cremation.
SELLE, CARL RICHARD REV., August 24, 1941, Chicago Heights, Ill., to September 24, 2016, Rosholt, Wis.; son of Rev. Carl and LaVerne Selle; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1969. Served 1969-2011. Ministries/Parishes: Covington La.; Tokyo, Japan; Neshkoro, Madison, Stevens Point, Wis.; Evansville, Ind.; East Lansing, Mich. Retired 2011. Survivors: Karol (Gill) Selle; sons: Andrew, Nathan, Matthew; daughter: Miriam Kolodziej. Celebration of Life: September 30, 2016, Stevens Point, Wis.
SIMENTAL, ROBERTO REV., December 29, 1946, El Paso, Texas, to October 13, 2016, El Paso, Texas; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1999. Served 1999-2014. Ministries/Parishes: McAllen, Texas; South Gate, Calif. Retired 2014. Survivor: daughter: Norma. Funeral and Interment: October 19, 2016, El Paso, Texas.
WERTZ, RICHARD PAUL REV., August 9, 1946, Washington, D.C., to February 17, 2016, Bradenton, Fla.; son of Leonard and Betty Wertz; graduated Springfield Seminary 1973. Served 1973-1975, 1978-2012. Ministries/Parishes: Aliceville, Burlington, Emporia, Winfield, Wichita, Norton, Kan.; River Forest, Ill.; Taos, Angel Fire, Socorro, N.M. Retired 2012. Funeral: February 27, 2016, Parrish, Fla.
WILLIAMS, RONALD EARLE REV., February 10, 1932, Pittsburgh, Pa., to September 6, 2016, San Diego, Calif.; son of Elmer and Mildred (Phoenix) Williams; colloquy 1968. Served 1968-1982. Ministries/Parishes: Capistrano Beach, Burbank, San Diego, Calif. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wife Jane (Woods) Williams. Survivors: son: Janathan; daughter: Jennifer Hreljac. Funeral: September 14, 2016, Sharpsville, Pa.; Interment: September 14, 2016, Hermitage, Pa.
WITTLER, ROBERT CHARLES REV., January 7, 1926, New York City, N.Y., to November 3, 2016, Patchogue, N.Y.; son of George and Wilhelmina (Wiemann) Wittler; colloquy 1995. Joined LCMS emeritus 1995. Funeral: November 7, 2016, Sayville, N.Y.; Interment: November 7, 2016, Calverton, N.Y.
Commissioned
BAILEY, ANDREW D., June 23, 1957, Denver, Colo., to October 27, 2016, Menasha, Wis.; graduated Seward 1979. Served 1979-2007. Schools/Ministries: Macomb, Detroit, Reed City, Mich.; St. Louis, Mo.; Oak Creek, Wis. Retired 2007. Survivors: Susan (Neisch) Bailey; son: Joshua. Funeral: November 10, 2016, Menasha, Wis.
BODE, JAMES T., March 28, 1935, New Ulm Minn., to September 13, 2016, Orange, Calif.; son of Theodore and Irene (Rengstorf) Bode; graduated Seward 1957. Served 1957-1998. Schools/Ministries: Long Beach, Whittier, Orange, Calif. Retired 1998. Survivors: Corinne (Pingel) Bode; sons: Darrin, Matthew. Funeral: September 24, 2016. Orange, Calif.; Interment: September 23, 2016, Orange, Calif.
FOUST, GLADYS (WENDT), December 26, 1945, Clermont, Fla., to July 7, 2016, Orlando, Fla.; daughter of Fred and Gloria Wendt; colloquy 1974. Served 1986-2011. Schools/Ministries; Oviedo, Orlando, Winter Garden, Fla. Retired 2011. Survivors: Rev. Paul Foust; sons: Paul, Jonathan, Matthew, Timothy. Funeral and Interment: July 29, 2016, Casselberry, Fla.
GERLACH, PAUL CHARLES, October 20, 1940, Cleveland, Ohio, to October 4, 2016, Lewiston, N.Y.; son of Alfred and Mildred (Schroeder) Gerlach; graduated River Forest 1962. Served 1962-2003. Schools/ Ministries: Bronx, New York, North Tonawanda, Lockport, N.Y. Retired 2003. Survivors: Linda (Luke) Gerlach; son: Jonathan; daughters: Lisa, Julie. Funeral and Interment: October 12, 2016, North Tonawanda, N.Y.
HAAS, WALTER DENNIS LEE, April 24, 1933, Minneapolis, Minn., to October 29, 2016, Milwaukee, Wis.; son of Walter and Elsbeth Haas; graduated River Forest 1954. Served 1954-1998. Schools/Ministries: Chicago, Ill.; Pomeroy, Iowa; Young America, Minn.; Detroit, Mich.; Milwaukee, Greenfield, Wis. Retired 1998. Survivors: Linda (Neill) Haas; sons: Timothy, John; daughter: Terri Tillich. Funeral: November 5, 2016, Milwaukee, Wis.; Interment: November 7, 2016, Brookfield, Wis.
HESCHKE, RICHARD J., October 7, 1939, Sheboygan, Wis., to October 1, 2016, Bronx, N.Y.; son of Victor and Sylvia (Rosenthal) Heschke; graduated River Forest 1961. Served 1964-2007. Schools/Ministries: River Forest, Ill.; Bronx, N.Y. Retired 2007. Memorial Celebration: November 13, 2016, Bronxville, N.Y.
KLINTWORTH, KATHRYN G. (KUNKEL), June 2, 1938, Minneapolis, Minn., to October 29, 2016, Saline, Mich.; daughter of Otto and Lillian Kunkel; graduated River Forest 1961. Served 1993-2007. School/Ministry: Ann Arbor, Mich. Retired 2007. Survivors: Philip Klintworth; sons: Mark, Paul. Funeral: November 11, 2016, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Interment: San Diego, Calif.
MOCK, HERBERT JAMES, March 25, 1946, Wykoff, Minn., to September 6, 2016, Houston, Texas; son of Rev. Alfred and Vivian Mock; graduated St. Paul 1970. Served 1970-2011. Ministries/Parishes: Thorndale, Houston, Texas; Port Huron, Mich.; Marysville, Ohio. Retired 2011. Survivors: Eunice (Huebner) Mock; sons: Aaron, Joshua. Funeral: September 9, 2016, Houston, Texas; Interment: Marysville, Ohio.
MUELLER, MARTIN BERNARD, August 15, 1926, Chicago, Ill., to January 11, 2016, Houston, Texas; son of Adolph and Alvina Mueller; graduated River Forest 1948. Served 1948-1991. School/Ministry: Houston, Texas. Retired 1991. Survivors: Ruby (Weise) Mueller; sons: Ron, Rick; daughters: Linda Noyd, Kathy Roensch. Funeral: January 15, 2016, Houston, Texas; Interment: January 16, 2016, Thorndale, Texas.
NEBEL, MARK C., May 3, 1952, Cape Girardeau, Mo., to August 26, 2016, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Carlton and Peggy (Long) Nebel; graduated Seward 1975. Served 1980-2009. Schools/Ministries: St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2009. Survivors: Ingrid (Prahlow) Nebel; daughters: Jocelyn, Katherine. Funeral: September 3, 2016, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo.; Interment: September 3, 2016, St. Louis. Mo.
SCHUKNECHT, JEROLD C., March 12, 1938, Saginaw, Mich., to April 16, 2016, Rockford, Ill.; son of George and Thelma Schuknecht; graduated River Forest 1961. Served 1961-2003. Schools/Ministries: Affton, Mo.; Lafayette, Ind.; Belvidere, Ill.; Fresno, Calif.; Denver, Colo. Retired 2003. Survivors: Jeanette (Ruedlinger) Schuknecht; sons: Jonathan, Joel; daughter: Jacqueline Stark. Memorial Service: April 20, 2016, Rockford, Ill.
VON KAMPEN, PAULA EMILY (SACHTLEBEN), March 10, 1933, Norwood Park, Ill., to September 20, 2016, Chandler, Ariz.; daughter of Albert and Eleanora (Kasten) Sachtleben; graduated River Forest 1976. Served 1976-1977. School/Ministry: Warren, Mich. Retired 1988. Survivors: William von Kampen, son: Kurt; daughter: Susan Pearce. Funeral: September 29, 2016, Seward, Neb.; Interment: September 26, 2016, Seward, Neb.
WHELPLY, HAL HARRY JR., December 30, 1943, Topeka, Kan., to October 25, 2016, Irvine, Calif.; son of Hal Sr. and Lucile (Meier) Whelply; graduated Seward 1965. Served 1965-2008. Schools/Ministries: Montebello, Panorama City, Anaheim, Irvine, Calif.; Seward, Neb. Retired 2008. Survivors: Karen (Wrede) Whelply; son: Derek; daughters: Camilla Hoffman, Krista Harris. Memorial Service: November 5, 2016, Lake Forest, Calif.
