IN MEMORIAM (January 2020)
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
BELL, RAYMOND J. JR. REV., July 5, 1957, Libertyville, Ill., to Sept. 23, 2019, Cadott, Wis.; son of Raymond Sr. and Verna Bell; colloquy 1993. Served 1993-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Rice Lake, Cadott, Boyd, Wis.; Mason City, Ill. Survivors: Kris (Hackbarth) Bell; son: Luke; daughter, Kylie. Funeral: Sept. 29, 2019, Cadott, Wis.; Interment: Sept. 29, 2019, Boyd, Wis.
CAMPBELL, CHARLES FREDERICK REV., May 27, 1929, Morristown, N.J., to Sept. 12, 2019, Springfield, Ill.; son of Charles and Laura Campbell; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-1995. Ministry/Parish: Chester, Ill. Retired 1995. Survivors: June (Kroutter) Campbell; son: Craig; daughters: Laura Catherwood, Kathy Farish, Susan McClure. Funeral and Interment: Sept. 28, 2019, Chester, Ill.
GRAMMES, RICHARD ALLEN REV., Jan. 10, 1933, York, Pa., to July 15, 2019, Fairfield, Calif.; colloquy 1983. Served 1983-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Sylvan Beach, N.Y.; Pittsburgh, Pa. Retired 1998. Survivors: Connie Grammes; son: Michael; daughters: Kathryn Morrell, Elizabeth. Funeral: July 20, 2019, Vacaville, Calif.; Interment: Dixon, Calif.
GROTHMAN, FLOYD WARNER REV., March 12, 1927, Oak Park, Ill., to Aug. 7, 2019, Mount Horeb, Wis.; son of Rev. Warner and Lynda (Herman) Grothman; graduated Springfield Seminary 1950. Served 1950-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Elk City, Okla.; Copperas Cove, Killeen, Copperas, Abilene, Texas; Saint Louis, Mo.; Janesville, Pulaski, Gillett, Wis. Retired 1992. Preceded in death by his wife Lois (Scheibert) Grothman. Survivors: sons: John, Mark, Timothy; daughters: Amy Clark, Becky Myers. Funeral: Aug. 14, 2019, Janesville, Wis.; Interment: Aug. 14, 2019, Forest Park, Ill.
HAKES, DAVID ELWYN REV., Jan. 17, 1937, Goshen, Ind., to Sept. 20, 2019, Reese, Mich.; son of Loren and Irene (Sones) Hakes; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-2002. Ministries/Parishes: York, Pa.; Baltimore, Md.; Richville, Mich.; Michigan District Circuit Visitor 1982-1988. Retired 2002. Survivors: Charlotte (Woltman) Hakes; sons: David Jr., Stephen, Timothy; daughters: Christina Balderrama, Deborah. Funeral and Interment: Sept. 28, 2019, Reese, Mich.
HARM, FREDERICK ROBERT REV. DR., Nov. 4, 1923, Queens N.Y., to Oct. 20, 2018, Saint Charles, Ill.; son of Fredolin and Mary (Schreff) Harm; colloquy 1962. Served 1962-1987. Ministries/Parishes: Grant Park, Huntley, Des Plaines, Ill.; Saint Louis, Mo. He was preceded in death by his wives Arlene (McCoy) Harm, Marjorie Harm, and Hertha Harm. Survivors: sons: Frederick, Scott; daughters: Judith Ryman, Beckie Untiedt, Mary Jo Taylor, Bonnie Pechous. Celebration of Life: Nov. 23, 2018, Huntley, Ill.
HOFT, THEES CARL REV., Oct. 9, 1948, New York City, N.Y., to Jan. 12, 2019, Clinton Township, Mich.; son of Thees and Louisa (Helms) Hoft; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1974. Served 1974-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Belding, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Saint Johns, Clinton Township, Mich.; Hamlin, N.Y. Retired 2013. Survivors: Margaret (Wildhaber) Hoft; sons: Rev. Peter, Timothy; daughter: Anne Marie Phillips. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 18, 2019, Fraser, Mich.
HUNEKE, PAUL R. REV., Dec. 31, 1946, Bronx, N.Y., to July 12, 2019, Lakewood, N.J.; son of Fred and Lillian Huneke; colloquy 1976. Served 1976-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Indian Head, Md.; Tinton Falls, N.J.; New Jersey District 1st Vice President, New Jersey District Circuit Visitor 1988-1994. Retired 2014. Preceded in death by his wife Kathy Huneke. Survivors: son: Jonathan; daughter: Adrienne. Funeral: July 18, 2019, Point Pleasant, N.J.; Interment: July 18, 2019, Paramus, N.J.
HUNZE, SHAWN DAVID REV., Nov. 11, 1966, Tampa, Fla., to Aug. 7, 2019, Union City, Tenn.; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2003. Served 2003-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Hamill, Winner, Clearfield, S.D.; U.S. Army Military Chaplain. Survivors: Roseanne (Howard) Hunze; sons: Benjamin, Paul; daughter, Abigail. Funeral: Aug. 17, 2019, Union City, Tenn.; Interment: Aug. 30, 2019, Knoxville, Tenn.
JILG, PAUL H. SR. REV., June 1, 1930, York, Neb., to Aug. 18, 2019, Little Rock, Ark.; son of Rev. George and Amelia (Porath) Jilg; graduated Springfield Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Gillett, DeWitt, Little Rock, Ark.; Des Moines, Iowa, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Mid-South District Circuit Visitor 1990-1994. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by his wife Darlene (Boettcher) Jilg. Survivors: son: Paul Jr.; daughter: Suann Clayton. Funeral: Aug. 24, 2019, Little Rock, Ark.; Interment: Aug. 24, 2019, Gillett, Ark.
KERESTES, LOUIS CARL REV., March 21, 1931, Streator, Ill., to Jan. 30, 2019, Mukwonago, Wis.; son of John and Pauline (Plesko) Kerestes; graduated Springfield Seminary 1960. Served 1960-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Central City, Pa.; Blue Island, Ill.; Boyceville, Connorsville, Wis. Retired 2001. Preceded in death by his wives Eleanor (Leis) Kerestes and Joan (Kastel) Kerestes. Survivors: daughters: Elizabeth Lohfink, Emily Oslund, Evangeline Mathe, Esther Johnson; stepchildren: Judy Connel, Nancy Avery, Ruth Graski, Sylvan Kastel. Funeral: Feb. 4, 2019, Boyceville, Wis.; Interment: Streator, Ill.
KITZMANN, HAROLD L. REV. DR., Sept. 6, 1938, Dillon, Iowa, to Sept. 19, 2019, Fishersville, Va.; son of Rev. Luther and Leonna (Borchelt) Kitzmann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1965-1993; 1995-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Owings Mills, Baltimore, Md.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Wellsville, N.Y. Retired 2000. Survivors: Betty (Coiner) Kitzmann; sons: John, David; daughter: Katherine. Memorial Service: Oct. 19, 2019, Fishersville, Va.
KRUGLER, RICHARD ADOLPH REV., Sept, 15, 1925, Chicago, Ill., to Sept. 2, 2019, Rochester Hills, Mich.; son of William and Florence (Erber) Krugler; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1949. Served 1949-1990. Ministries/Parishes: NIGERIA; Reed City, Mich. Retired 1990. Preceded in death by his wives Edith (Kleim) Krugler, Mildred (Worner) Hilst, Ruth (Schroeder) Lail and stepson Christopher Lail. Survivors: sons: John, Steven, Ronald, Theodore, Charles, Thomas; daughters: Jean Vahey, Barbara Muellenhagen, Shari; step-children: Ted Lail, Cheryl Lail, Terry Lail, Cindy Linnemann, Becky Eaton. Funeral: Sept. 7, 2019, Rochester, Mich.
MARTENS, RAY FRED REV. DR., Feb. 3, 1933, Hufsmith, Texas, to Oct. 5, 2019, Austin, Texas; son of Alfred and Ella (Birkmann) Martens; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1957-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Springfield, Ill.; Austin, Texas. Retired 1996. Survivors: Jane (Winkler) Martens; sons: Steven, David, Thomas. Celebration of Life: Oct. 14, 2019, Austin, Texas; Interment: Oct. 12, 2019, Giddings, Texas.
PEARCY, DAVID L. REV., March 31, 1942, Kokomo, Ind., to Sept. 15, 2019, Darnestown, Md.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1971. Served 1971-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Chattanooga, Tenn.; Bethesda, Silver Spring, Md.; Washington D.C.; U.S. Navy Military Chaplain; Southeastern District Circuit Visitor 2005-2009. Retired 2004. Survivors: JoAnn (LaPoint) Pearcy; daughter: Heather. Funeral: Oct. 12, 2019, Silver Springs, Md.
RISTOW, LEONARD ELROY REV., July 15, 1929, Milwaukee, Wis., to Sept. 7, 2019, Fort Worth, Texas; son of Leonard and Clara (Zamjahn) Ristow; graduated Springfield Seminary 1954. Served 1954-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Underwood, Wilton, Rural Hazen, Jamestown, N.D.; Stewartville, Minn.; Kingsville, Houston, Pecos, Fort. Stockton, Sweetwater, Texas. Retired 1997. Survivors: Beverly (Stenicka) Ristow; sons: Daniel, Timothy; daughters: Pamela Quantz, Cindy Sentesi. Memorial Service: Sept. 12, 2019, Fort Worth, Texas.
ROTTMANN, ELLIS T. REV. DR., July 5, 1931, Hannibal, Mo., to Aug. 21, 2019, Saint Louis, Mo.; son of Paul and Eleonore Rottmann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1957-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Brazil; Forest Green, Cape Girardeau, Saint Louis, Mo.; Springfield, Ill. Retired 1996. Survivors: Joyce (Kell) Rottmann; sons: Jonathan, Stephen; daughter: Kathryn Jensen. Memorial Service: Sept, 5, 2019, Des Peres, Mo.
SANDATE, ISIDRO HERNANDEZ REV., May 15, 1926, Corpus Christi, Texas, to Aug. 27, 2019, Manteca, Calif.; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1996. Served 1997-2000. Ministry/Parish: San Jose, Calif. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife Mary (Chapa) Sandate. Survivors: sons: John, Richard, Robert. Funeral and Interment: Sept. 12, 2019, Manteca, Calif.
SCHACKEL, JAMES HERBERT REV., Jan. 20, 1935, Worthington, Minn., to Sept. 16, 2019, Salem, Ore.; son of John and Louise (Heintz) Schackel; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1987. Ministries/Parishes: Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Mont.; Salem, Ore.; Montrose, Colo. Retired 1990. Survivors: Audrey (Hormann) Schackel; sons: Nathan, Matthew; daughter: Gretchen. Funeral: Sept. 21, 2019, Salem, Ore.
SCHWENGEL, KENNETH EUGENE REV., Dec. 1, 1927, Racine, Wis., to Sept. 9, 2019, Bowie, Md.; son of John and Sophie (Kraftschenk) Schwengel; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1952. Served 1952-1993. Ministries/Parishes: Deer Lodge, Anaconda, Mont.; Bronxville, N.Y.; Montville, N.J.; Enfield, Conn.; Bowie, Md. Retired 1993. Preceded in death by his wife Janet (Blessing) Schwengel. Survivors: sons: David, Philip; daughter: Deborah. Funeral and Interment: Sept. 14, 2019, Bowie, Md.
SENN, ARTHUR C. REV., Jan. 1, 1927, Memphis, Tenn., to Oct. 7, 2019, Oshkosh, Wis.; son of Otto and Marguerite (Sippel) Senn; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1952. Served 1952-1989. Ministries/Parishes: Arlington, Texas; Wauseon, Liberty Center, Ohio; Ottowa, Ontario, Canada; Fredonia, Manitowoc, Neshkoro, Wis.; South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1965-1973. Retired 1989. Preceded in death by his wife Olga (Ripke) Senn. Survivors: son: Michael; daughters: Katherine Stuyck, Ruth Pappas, Vivian Mittelstaedt, Judith Behlke. Funeral and Interment: Oct. 12, 2019, Fredonia, Wis.
STOEPPELWERTH, HENRY PAUL REV., March 2, 1932, Lawrence, Kan., to Aug. 3, 2019, Spring, Texas; son of Rev. Walter and Leona (Stoltenberg) Stoeppelwerth; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1973; 1974-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Bakersfield, Highland, Hacienda Heights, Calif.; Evergreen, Colo. Retired 1995. Survivors: Gretchen (Koehler) Stoeppelwerth; sons: Matthew, Paul; daughters: Martha, Susan. Funeral: Aug. 4, 2019, Spring, Texas; Interment: Florissant, Colo.
VOELZKE, PAULUS ERNEST REV., Oct. 30, 1931, Arthur, N.D., to Aug. 8, 2019, Highland, Calif.; son of Rev. Martin and Elsie (Glasnapp) Voelzke; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1990. Ministries/Parishes: Tustin, Culver City, Montebello, Panorama City, Calif. Retired 1996. Survivors: Carolyn (Bailey) Voelzke; son: Joel; daughters: Susan D’On, Rebecca Hamlin, Rachel. Funeral: Sept. 7, 2019, Winnetka, Calif.
WAIDELICH, CARL WILLIAM REV., June 29, 1932, Saginaw, Mich., to May 7, 2019, Oakland County, Mich.; son of Eberhardt and Marie (Kunas) Waidelich; graduates Springfield Seminary 1968. Served 1968-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Kileen, Texas; Grand Rapids, Taylor, Mich. Retired 1994. Survivors: son: Eric; daughters: Shell Fairful, Fawn Waidelich. Funeral: March 14, 2019, Gladwin, Mich.; Interment: March 14, 2019, Standish, Mich.
WILLE, WARREN HENRY REV., Sept. 21, 1920, Saint Paul, Minn., to Aug. 3, 2019, Longmont, Colo.; son of Robert and Dorothea (Brenning) Wille; graduated Springfield Seminary 1950. Served 1950-1985. Ministries/Parishes: Cheyenne Wells, Kit Carson, Denver, Greeley, Colo.; Austin, Minn. Retired 1985. Preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Berlin) Wille. Survivors: sons: David, Steven, Peter; daughters: Marilyn, Kathleen. Memorial Service: August 10, 2019, Longmont, Colo.; Interment: Aug. 10, 2019, Denver, Colo.
ZIEGLER, ERIC R. REV., Jan. 17, 1948, New York, N.Y., to Sept. 24, 2019, Saylorsburg, Pa.; son of William and Theresa (Hachey) Ziegler; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1991. Served 1991-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Clifton, West New York, N.J.; New Jersey District Circuit Visitor 1993-1996; 2009-2013. Retired 2013. Survivor: Joan (Rutz) Ziegler. Funeral: Sept. 30, 2019, Mount Pocono, Pa.; Interment: Sept. 30, 2019, Brodheadsville, Pa.
ZIMMERMAN, EARL J. REV., April 12, 1928, Alta Vista, Kan., to Sept. 5, 2019, Olathe, Kan.; son of Walter and Marion (Brabb) Zimmerman; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953. Served 1953-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Genoa, Hugo, Colo.; Lowell, Shelton, Neb.; Lawrence, Ottawa, Helper, Fort Scott, Kan. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by his son David. Survivors: Marilyn (Mahnken) Zimmerman; sons: Roger, Richard; daughter: Carla Holste. Funeral and Interment: Sept. 10, 2019, Ottawa, Kan.
COMMISSIONED
ALLEN, CHRIS BERNICE E. (CHRISTIANSEN), Feb. 21, 1937, Pocahontas, Iowa, to Sept. 10, 2019, Waterloo, Iowa; daughter of Elmer and Dena (Behrends) Christiansen; graduated Mequon 1980. Served 1987-2019. School/Ministry: Appleton, WI. Preceded in death by her daughter Diane Hansen. Survivor: son: Robert. Funeral and Interment: Sept. 13, 2019, Waterloo, Iowa.
BOLDT, DENNIS HAROLD, Feb. 7, 1942, Buffalo, N.Y., to Feb. 21, 2019, Midlothian, Texas; son of Harold and Lydia Boldt; graduated River Forest 1964. Served 1964-2005. Schools/Ministries: Hamlin, North Tonawanda, West Seneca, N.Y.; Matteson, LaGrange, Ill.; Detroit, Mich.; DeSoto, Texas. Retired 2005. Preceded in death by his wife Jean (Lasch) Boldt. Survivors: son: Tim; daughters: Valerie Scheffert, Cindy Serrano. Funeral: Feb. 26, 2019, Waxahachie, Texas; Interment: March 4, 2019, Seneca, N.Y.
BOLDT, HAROLD JAMES DR., April 29, 1939, Frankenmuth, Mich., to Sept. 19, 2019, Rochester, Mich.; son of Harold and Anita (Zehnder) Boldt; graduated River Forest 1961. Served 1961-2001. Schools/Ministries: West Allis, Milwaukee, Wis.; Saint Louis, Mo.; Rochester, Mich. Retired 2001. Survivors: Janet (Korn) Boldt; sons: James, Harold, Matthew, Jonathon. Funeral: Sept. 22, 2019, Rochester, Mich.
CORDES, NANCY ANN (SOLDWISCH), March 12, 1939, Chicago, Ill., to June 29, 2019, Elmhurst, Ill.; daughter of Erwin and Clara Soldwisch; graduated River Forest 1961. Served 1977-2002. School/Ministry: LaGrange, Ill. Retired 2002. Survivors: John Cordes; sons: Paul, Karl; daughter Katherine Mick. Memorial Service: July 13, 2019, River Forest, Ill.
GRAPATIN, EDWARD R., March 10, 1937, to June 28, 2019, Oviedo, Fla.; son of Edward and Ethyl (Egar) Grapatin; graduated River Forest 1962. Served 1962-1999. Schools/Ministries: Saint Louis, Mo.; Chicago, Ill. Retired 1999. Survivors: Blanche (Fabry) Grapatin; son: Philip; daughters: Kimberly May, Kathryn Becker. Funeral: July 13, 2019, Oviedo, Fla.
KEINATH, KAY A. (VAN PETTEN), May 8, 1950, Saginaw, Mich., to Sept. 13, 2019, Vassar, Mich.; daughter of Max and Phyllis (Nickel) Van Petten; colloquy 1993. Served 1995-2016. School/Ministry: Millington, Mich. Retired 2016. Preceded in death by her husbands John Hecht and Ronald Keinlath. Survivors: son: Jeff Hecht; daughters: Janel Woodward, Ronda Weiss. Funeral and Interment: Sept. 17, 2019, Richville, Mich.
LOCKHART, JOHN WESLEY, Oct. 15, 1945, Highland Park, Mich., to Aug. 3, 2019, West Branch, Mich.; son of Russell and Winifred (Sherman) Lockhart; graduated Seward 1967. Served 1967-1978; 1982-2006. Schools/Ministries: Troy, Ill.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Greeley, Denver, Colo.; Whittier, Temple City, Calif. Retired 2006. Survivors: Carol (Jennejahn) Lockhart; daughter: Jennifer. Celebration of Life: Aug. 9, 2019, Rose City, Mich.
LUTZ, NANCY ANN (HASEMAN), Oct. 24, 1946, Worthington, MN, to Aug. 12, 2019, Danbury, Conn.; daughter of Arthur and Evelyn (Gerdes) Haseman; graduated Seward 1968. Served 1991-2007. Schools/Ministries: Danbury, Bridgeport, Conn. Retired 2015. Survivors: David Lutz; son: Mark; daughter: Sarah Chadderdon. Funeral and Interment: Aug. 16, 2019, Danbury, Conn.
MELCHER, CYNTHIA ANN (ROGGE), May 10, 1955, Topeka, Kan., to Nov. 22, 2018, Thorndale, Texas; daughter of Marvin and Marlene (Smith) Melcher; graduated Seward 1977. Served 1977-2018. School/Ministry: Thorndale, Texas. Retired 2018. Survivors: Ernest Melcher; daughter: Bethany Huff. Funeral and Interment: November 27, 2019, Thorndale, Texas.
SCHULTZ, ROBERT L., May 29, 1935, Detroit, Mich., to July 10, 2019, Traverse City, Mich.; son of William and Eva (Nehring) Schultz; graduated Seward 1958. Served 1958-1998. Schools/Ministries: Detroit, Redford, Traverse City, Mich. Retired 1998. Survivors: Gail (Reinschmidt) Schultz; son: Matthew; daughter: Heidi Dowidait. Funeral: July 18, 2019, Traverse City, Mich.; Interment: July 18, 2019, Livonia, Mich.
SCOTT, MABLELEAN (DALE), March 24, 1936, Montrose, Ala., to Aug. 27, 2019, Mobile, Ala.; daughter of Bailey Sr. and Zeolia Dale; graduated Seward 1971. Served 1974-2003. School/Ministry: Mobile, Ala. Retired 2003. Survivors: son: Frazier; daughter: Elizabeth Banks. Funeral and Interment: Sept. 7, 2019, Mobile, Ala.
VOELKER, DONALD FREDERICK, May 20, 1925, Lanesville, Ind., to Oct. 1, 2019, Seymour, Ind.; son of Frederick and Anna (Zollman) Voelker; graduated River Forest 1946. Served 1944-1990. Schools/Ministries: Columbus, Woodburn, Ind. Retired 1990. Preceded in death by is wife Wilma (Kern) Voelker. Survivors: sons: John, James, Rev. Steve; daughter: Lorrene Felker. Funeral and Interment: Oct. 7, 2019, White Creek, Ind.
ZIELSKE, EDWIN EWALD JR., Aug. 27, 1926, Rochester, Minn., to Sept. 11, 2019, Boca Raton, Fla.; son of Edwin Sr. and Esther Zielske; graduated River Forest 1949. Served 1950-1986. Schools/Ministries: Baltimore, Md.; Winston-Salem, N.C.; Waynesboro, Va. Retired 1991. Survivors: Shirley Zielske; sons: Nathan, Scott, Greg. Funeral: Sept. 17, 2019, Boca Raton, Fla.; Interment: Sept. 17, 2019, Lake Worth, Fla.
