In Memoriam (April 2021)

IN MEMORIAM (April 2021)

             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

ALBERS, KENNETH LEE REV., March 4, 1954, Appleton, Wis., to Dec. 18, 2020, Merrill, Wis.; son of Victor and Bernadine (Brandt) Albers; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1980.  Served 1980-2014.  Ministries/Parishes: Eagle, Neb.; Milford Center, Ohio; Merrill, Minocqua, Wis.  Retired 2015.  Survivors: Angela (Luebke) Albers; sons: Rev. Grayson, Brogan, Trendon; daughter: Shayla Gerike.  Funeral: Dec. 28, 2020, Merrill, Wis.

ANDERSON, HYLE ROYAL REV., May 7, 1948, Bagley, Minn., to Jan. 23, 2021, Aberdeen, S.D.; son of Oscar and Marcella Anderson; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1979.  Served 1979-2015.  Ministries/Parishes: Wolsey, Wessington, Mitchell, Aberdeen, S.D.; Bemidji, Minn.; South Dakota Circuit Visitor 1990-1998.  Retired 2015.  Survivors: Gloria (McCollum) Anderson; son: Jon; daughter: Sherlyn.  Funeral: Jan. 29, 2021, Aberdeen, S.D.; Interment: Feb. 1, 2021, Bemidji, Minn.

BOMBA, JAMES MATTHEW REV., Feb. 24, 1929, Barberton, Ohio, to Dec. 2, 2020, Houston, Texas; son of Rev. Andrew and Elizabeth (Getz) Bomba; graduated Springfield Seminary 1954.  Served 1954-1980, 1984-1993.  Ministries/Parishes: New Orleans, Metairie, La.; Tampa, Milton, Key West, Fla.; Houston, Texas.  Retired 1993.  Survivors: son: David; daughters: Susan Cagle, Beth Baggott, Amy.

BORCHERS, RICHARD WAYNE REV., March 28, 1929, Arkansas City, Kan., to Dec. 13, 2020, Wauwatosa, Wis.; son of Herman and Anna (Friis) Borchers; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1994.  Ministries/Parishes: Chicago, Ill.; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Ludington, Mich.; Fairmount, N.D.; Wittenberg, Oconto, Vesper, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; North Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1971-1974; South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1978-1983.  Retired 1994.  Preceded in death by his wife Hildegarde (Schumann) Borchers.  Survivors: son: Daniel; daughters: Miriam Ryan, Martha Calliham. Online Memorial Service: Dec. 18, 2020; Interment: Dec. 16, 2020, Vesper, Wis.

BOTTORFF, CHRIS A. ENGEL REV., Nov. 18, 1955, South Bend, Ind., to Jan. 21, 2021, Crown Point, Ind; son of Robert and Ann Bottorff; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1983.  Served 1983-1999, 2000-2018.  Ministries/Parishes: Sargent, Burwell, Neb.; Dwight, Blue Island, Calumet Park, Ill.; Jefferson City, Mo.; Crown Point, Ind.  Retired 2018.  Survivors: Ruth Bottorff; sons: Nathan, Jonathan; daughter: Rebecca.  Funeral and Interment: Jan. 30, 2021, Crown Point, Ind.

BRADT, LAWRENCE NOLAN REV., Dec. 21, 1966, San Antonio, Texas, to Dec. 22, 2020, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; son of Barry and Teresa (Crego) Bradt; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2003.  Served 2003-2020.  Ministries/Parishes: Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, New Wells, Mo.  Survivors: Deanna (Carlson) Bradt; son: Adam; daughter: Alicia.  Funeral and Interment: Dec. 28, 2020, New Wells, Mo.

BRIGHTON, DAVID CARL REV., Oct. 28, 1955, Philadelphia, Pa., to Jan. 10, 2021, Warner Robins, Ga.; son of Carl and Ruth Brighton; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1982.  Served 1982-2021.  Ministries/Parishes: Omaha, Neb.; Parkersburg, W.V.; Warner Robins, Ga.  Survivors: Marcia (Swaim) Brighton; sons: Jonathan, Benjamin; daughters: Michelle, Emily, Elizabeth.  Celebration of Life: Jan. 20, 2021, Warner Robins, Ga.

CARSTENS, DAVID LEROY REV., July 10, 1944, Detroit Lakes, Minn., to Oct. 25, 2020, Portland, Ore.; son of Edwin and Shirley (Hanson) Carstens; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970.  Served 1970-2013.  Ministries/Parishes: Hickory, Greensboro, N.C.; Portland, Ore.  Retired 2013.  Survivors: Penelope (Sutphin) Carstens; son: Jason; daughter: Holly Kobie.  Online Memorial Service: Nov. 17, 2020; Interment: Nov. 4, 2020, Gresham, Ore.

CRAIG, DONALD WILLARD JR. REV., Dec. 10, 1942, Columbus, Ohio, to Dec. 4, 2020, Springfield, Ohio; son of Donald Sr. and Mary (Burns) Craig; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1990.  Served 1990-1992, 1993-2004.  Ministries/Parishes: Mexico, Wellsville, Craig, Corning, Mound City, Mo.  Retired 2010.  Survivors: Helen (Boelter) Craig; daughters: Justine Craig-Meyer, Paige, Nicole O’Connel, Faith Rattei.

DORING, ARTHUR R. REV., Aug. 21, 1932, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Jan. 26, 2021, Stanhope, N.J.; son of Arthur and Marie (Bargmann) Doring; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958.  Served 1958-2012.  Ministry/Parish: Stanhope, N.J.; New Jersey District Circuit Visitor 1983-1988.  Retired 2012.  Survivors: Lois (Prokopy) Doring; son: David; daughter: Lisa Baermann.  Celebration of Life: Stanhope, N.J.

GILLAM, JACK L. REV., Aug. 21, 1952, Scottsbluff, Neb., to Dec. 25, 2020, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Dale and Dorothy (Schroeder) Gillam; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1999.  Served 1999-2017.  Ministries/Parishes: Amherst, Grand Island, Neb.; Stuttgart, Ark.  Retired 2017.  Survivors: Linda (Mueller) Gillam; sons: Jeremy, Jeff, Jason.  Memorial Service and Interment: Dec. 28, 2020, St. Charles, Mo.

HRACHOVINA, DAVID A. REV., June 10, 1952, Seattle, Wash., to Nov. 20, 2020, Seattle, Wash.; son of Donald and June Hrachovina; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1978.  Served 1978-2010.  Ministries/Parishes: Parma, Homedale, Boise, Idaho.  Retired 2010.  Preceded in death by his wife Doris (Denninger) Hrachovina.  Memorial Service and Interment: Dec. 3, 2020, Boise, Idaho.

JENNINGS, LANCE ROBERT REV., June 2, 1948, Manistee, Mich., to Dec. 17, 2020, Reno, Nev.; son of Robert and Marguerite (Risku) Jennings; colloquy 1979.  Served 1979-1988, 2010-2014.  Ministries/ Parishes: Auburn Heights, Mich.; Vancouver, Wash.; Anchorage, Alaska; Jerome, Idaho.  Retired 2014.  Survivors: sons: Chadwick, Cory; daughter: Nicole.

KNUTH, JAMES ALLEN REV., June 7, 1941, St. Joseph, Mich., to Jan. 1, 2021. Woodstock, Ga.; son of Fernest and Martha (Gallert) Knuth; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1967.  Served 1967-1988, 1991-2007.  Ministries/Parishes: Bear Creek, Two Rivers, Madison, Wis.; Durham, N.C.; South Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1985-1988.  Retired 2007.  Survivors: Constance (Rueter) Knuth; son: James; daughters: Christa Callen, Catherine Yonaitis, Corrie Howard.

KRAUSE, KENNETH EDWIN REV., Jan. 24, 1955, Rockford, Ill., to Jan. 24, 2021, Rockford, Ill.; son of Rev E. George and Hildegarde (Thalmann) Krause; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1986.  Served 1986-2021.  Ministries/Parishes: Grand Rapids, Minn.; Rockford, Machesney Park, Ill.  Survivors: Julie (Machula) Krause; daughters: Katherine, Rachel, Sarah Duffy.  Funeral and Interment: Jan. 30, 2021, Rockford, Ill.

LIESKE, BRUCE J. REV., March 20,1935, LaCrosse, Wis., to Jan. 17, 2021, Oviedo, Fla.; son of Harold and Jeannete (Helle) Lieske; graduated Springfield Seminary 1969.  Served 1969-2002.  Ministries/Parishes: Philadelphia, Pa.; N. Fond du Lac, Wis.; Perryville, N.J.; Orlando, Fla.  Retired 2002.  Preceded in death by his wife Ann Lieske.  Survivors: sons: Stephen, Daniel; daughter: Rebecca.

LOEST, ADEN EDWIN REV., Jan. 18, 1932. Randolph, Wis., to Dec. 28, 2020, McHenry, Ill.; son of Otto and Elfrieda (Christian) Loest; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959.  Served 1959-1995.  Ministries/Parishes: Staples, Motley, St. Cloud, Clear Lake, Minn.; Hillside, Gurnee, Ill.  Retired 1995. Preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Jacobsen) Loest.  Survivors: sons; Mark, Timothy; daughters: Naomi, Deborah.  Funeral: Jan. 3, 2021, McHenry, Ill.; Interment: Jan. 3, 2021, Libertyville, Ill.

MADER, MYRON G. REV., Aug. 25, 1932, Polar, Wis., to Jan. 3, 2021, Ocala, Fla.; son of Myron and Lucille (Parsons) Mader; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957.  Served 1957-1989, 1996-2019.  Ministry/Parish: Ocala, Fla.; Florida-Georgia District Circuit Visitor 1963-1964.  Retired 2019.  Preceded in death by his wives Carol (Schuman) Mader and Judith Mader.  Survivors: sons: Mark, Russell; daughters: Terry Grier, Debra.

MAGILL, TIMOTHY W. REV., July 21, 1967, Orange, Calif., to Dec. 26, 2020, Villard, Minn.; son of Donald and Evelyn (Cook) Magill; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2020.  Served 2020.  Ministries/Parishes: Villard, Grove Lake, Minn.  Survivors: Mary (Choate) Magill.  Funeral and Interment: Jan. 8, 2021, Villard, Minn.

MATTHIES, RICHARD J. REV., Jan. 30, 1934, Merrill, Wis., to Nov. 18, 2020, Sheboygan, Wis.; son of Rudolph and Ella (Sievert) Matthies; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963.  Served 1963-1998.  Ministries/Parishes: Auckland, New Zealand; Shelbyville, Ill.; New Richmond, Sheboygan, Wis.  Retired 1998.  Preceded in death by his wife Alice (Gunell) Matthies. Survivors: Kriss (Hoppe) Matthies; sons: Mark, Luther, Luke, Joel; daughter: Laurie Voss.  Funeral: Jan. 30, 2021, Sheboygan Falls, Wis.; cremation.

MCCAIN, PAUL TIMOTHY REV., Feb. 12, 1962, Pensacola, Fla., to Nov. 25, 2020, Ballwin, Mo.; son of Rev. Paul and Jean (Geipel) McCain; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1988.  Served 1990-2002, 2005-2020.  Ministries/Parishes: Waverly, Iowa; St. Louis, Mo.  Survivors: Lynn (Grunow) McCain; sons: Paul, John; daughter: Mary.  Funeral: December 1, 2020, St. Louis, Mo.: Interment: Dec. 1, 2020, Des Peres, Mo.

MEYER, NORMAN CARL REV., Dec. 31, 1925, Nekoosa, Wis., to Dec. 7, 2020, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Rev. Walter and Esther (Pietz) Meyer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1949.  Served 1949-1991.  Ministries/Parishes: Denton, Texas; Spokane, Wash.; Jefferson City, Jennings, Pagedale, Mo.  Retired 1991.  Survivors: Elsie (Bartling) Meyer; daughters: Mary, Vicki Budd-Darby, Cynthia Tamayo.

MUELLER, DAVID C. REV., Aug. 10, 1939, Mt. Prospect, Ill., to Dec. 29, 2020, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Arthur and Gertrude (Wuerffel) Mueller; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965.  Served 1965-2001.  Ministries/Parishes: Utica, Mich.; Toledo, Ohio; Brimfield, Ill.; Junction City, Haven, Great Bend, Kan.; Ada, Boise City, Okla.; West Covina, Calif.; Dalhart, Plainview, Texas; Whitestone, N.Y.  Retired 2001.  Survivors: Judith (McFall) Mueller; sons: Mark, Andrew; daughter: Cathleen Werling.

MUELLER, HERBERT CHRISTIAN JR. REV. DR., May 16, 1953, Grand Forks, N.D., to March 21, 2020, Columbia, Ill.; son of Rev Herbert Sr. and Ruth (Polley) Mueller; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1979.  Served 1979-2019.  Ministries/Parishes: Chicago, Bethalto, Waterloo, Ill.; St. Louis, Mo.  retired 2019.  Survivors: Faith (Anderson) Mueller; sons: Rev. Herbert III, Nathan; daughter: Carol Scheck.  Funeral and Interment: March 26, 2020, Waterloo, Ill.

NORD, DONALD DALE REV., Aug. 26, 1944, Ft. Wayne, Ind., to Dec. 3, 2020, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Erwin and Lillian (Hormann) Nord; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1990.  Served 1990-2011.  Ministries/Parishes: LaSalle, Montgomery, Ill.; Ft. Wayne, Ind.  Retired 2011.  Survivors: Barbara (Krumwiede) Nord; sons: Donald, Paul, Matthew; daughters: Rose Wilkens, Dana Ecker, Jessica, Nicole Brown.  Funeral and Interment: Dec. 10, 2020, Ft. Wayne, Ind.

PANNING, JOHN FREDERICK REV., May 3, 1927, Hamburg, Minn., to Dec. 23, 2020, Holland, Mich.; son of Ernest and Lydia (Weller) Panning; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953.  Served 1953-1992.  Ministries/Parishes: New York City, Corning, Buffalo, N.Y.; Gaylord, Minn.; Evansville, Ind.; La Ronge, Saskatchewan, Canada; Grand Haven, Mich.  Retired 1992.  Survivors: Helen (Lueth) Panning; sons: Steven, David, Nathan; daughters: Catherine Voorhees, Elizabeth Cecchettini.

PILLACK, ROLAND E. REV., Feb. 4, 1932, Walburg, Texas, to Dec. 29, 2020, Waterloo, Iowa; son of Bernard and Lydia (Mersiovsky) Pillack; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970.  Served 1970-1995.  Ministries/Parishes: Ceylon, Minn., Hampton, Iowa; Russellville, Ark.; Nevada, Iowa; Mid-South District Circuit Visitor 1988-1990. Retired 1995.  Preceded in death by his wife Norma (Seehusen) Pillack.  Survivors: son: Timothy; daughters: Sherilyn, Becky, Beth.  Funeral: Jan. 4, 2021, Des Moines, Iowa; Interment: Jan. 4, 2021, Pomeroy, Iowa.

PITTELKO, ROGER DEAN REV. DR., Aug. 18, 1932, El Reno, Okla., to Nov. 12, 2020, Elk Grove Village, Ill.; son of Rev. Elmer and Lydia (Nieman) Pittelko; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957.  Served 1958-2001.  Ministries/Parishes: New Orleans, La.; Berwyn, Elk Grove Village, Ill.; Farmington, Mich.; Ft, Wayne, Ind.; St. Louis, Mo.  Retired 2003.  Survivors: Beverly (Mollendorf) Pittelko; son: Rev. Dr. Dean; daughter: Susan Gorecki.

RASCH, LYLE HENRY REV., Aug. 17, 1927, Reedsburg, Wis., to Nov. 26, 2020, Hamilton, Ohio; son of Henry and Ella (Bowman) Rasch; graduated Mankato Seminary 1952.  Served 1963-1995.  Ministries/Parishes: Geneva, Cincinnati, Ohio; Ohio District Circuit Visitor 1981-1988.  Retired 1995.  Preceded in death by his wife Anna (Dankovich) Rasch.  Survivors: sons:  L. Timothy, David; daughter: Deborah.  Funeral: Hamilton, Ohio.

REITER, GERALD ROBERT REV., Jan. 29, 1931, Chicago, Ill., to Nov. 11, 2020, Morehead City, N.C.; son of Alfred and Prudence (Arndt) Reiter; colloquy 1983.  Served 1984-2015.  Ministries/Parishes: Baltimore, Md.; Troy, N.H.; Aiken, S.C.; New England District Circuit Visitor 1993-1997.  Retired 2015.  Survivors: Carol (Boyd) Reiter; son: Kurt; daughters: Kim Ragland, Valerie Magnotto.  Funeral: Nov. 24, 2020, Beaufort, N.C.

SAULS, OTTIS L. JR. REV., Feb. 3, 1926, Austin, Texas, to Jan. 19, 2021, Seymour, Ind.; son of Ottis Sr. and Leola (Pledger) Sauls; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1950.  Served 1950-1991.  Ministries/Parishes: Deer Lodge, Anaconda, Wibaux, Mont.; Beach, N.D.; Austin, Texas; Bridgeville, Mt. Lebanon, Pa.; Seymour, Ind.; Texas District Circuit Visitor 1957-1959.  Retired 1991.  Preceded in death by his wife Mary (King) Sauls.  Survivors: sons: David, Rev. Donald, Timothy; daughter: Janice Turpon.  Funeral and Interment: Jan. 26, 2021, Seymour, Ind.

SCHROEDER, ROY PHILLIP REV. DR., Sept. 8, 1929, Caro, Mich., to Jan. 20, 2021, Lansing, Mich.; son of Rev. Philip and Esther (Ude) Schroeder; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1954.  Served 1955-1996.  Ministries/Parishes: Vincennes, Monroeville, Ind.; Sparta, E. Lansing, Mich.; Michigan District Circuit Visitor 1963-1966.  Retired 1996.  Preceded in death by his daughter Christine.  Survivors: Phyllis (Helge) Schroeder; sons: Paul, John; daughters: Stephanie Emerick, Deborah Saulnier, Suzanne Kulka.  Funeral: Jan. 30, 2021, E. Lansing, Mich.

SIMMINGER, K. MICHAEL REV., October 6, 1941, Ft. Wayne, Ind., to Jan. 1, 2021, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of K. Edward and Luella Simminger; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1970.  Served 1970-1991, 1994-2006.  Ministries/Parishes: Crookston, Valentine, Neb.; Lexington, Mo.; Des Moines, Iowa; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Mt. Zion, Manito, Ill.  Retired 2006.  Survivors: daughters: Sarah Grasch, Rebecca McGauhey, Miriam Lanz, Judith Whaley.  Funeral and Interment: Jan. 6, 2021, Ft. Wayne, Ind.

TELLER, DANIEL JAMES REV., Dec. 12, 1953, Mt. Clemons, Mich., to Nov. 28, 2020, Barrington, Ill.; son of James and Delores (Malie) Teller; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1990.  Served 1990-2020.  Ministries/Parishes: Dolton, Prospect Heights, Chicago, Ill.; Cincinnati, Ohio.  Retired 2020.  Survivors: Sharon (Verschaeve) Teller; sons: Michael, Christopher.  Funeral: Dec. 4, 2020, Arlington Heights. Ill.

TYLER, JAMES W. REV., Jan. 27, 1928, Boston, Mass., to Dec. 10, 2020, Bakersfield, Calif.; son of Walter and Bertha (Calloway) Tyler; colloquy 1968.  Served 1968-2014.  Ministries/Parishes: New Orleans, La.; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Nigeria, Africa; Bakersfield, Calif.  Retired 2014.  Survivors: Billie (Russell) Tyler; sons: Mark, Timothy, David; daughters: Desire, Melita Wilson.

YUNKER, WARD IRWIN REV., Oct. 5, 1974, LaCrosse, Wis., to Jan. 13, 2021, Asheville, N.C.; son of Rev. Arthur and Grace Yunker; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2009.  Transferred to LCMS as candidate in 2020.  Memorial Service: Jan. 24, 2021, Hickory, N.C.

COMMISSIONED

BECKER, HARLAN H., Nov. 20, 1932, Concordia, Mo., to March 23, 2020, Horicon, Wis.; son of Julius and Regina (Nienhueser) Becker; graduated Seward 1953.  Served 1953-1995.  Schools/Ministries: Merrill, Green Bay, Horicon, Wis.  Retired 1995.  Survivors: Carol (Schuster) Becker; sons: David, John; daughter: Catherine Roscher.  Memorial Service: July 25, 2020, Horicon, Wis.

BOERGER, MARK ALAN, Aug. 16, 1944, Plymouth, Wis., to July 29, 2020, New Palestine, Ind.; son of John Jr. and Martha (Krenzke) Boerger; graduated Seward 1966.  Served 1966-2009.  Schools/Ministries: Milwaukee, Wis.; Indianapolis, New Palestine, Ind.  Retired 2009.  Survivors: Karen (Knapp) Boerger; son: Thomas: daughters: Kathy Steinke, Amy Janiszewski.  Funeral and Interment: Aug. 3, 2020, New Palestine, Ind.

BOETEL, ROBERT CARL, Dec. 12, 1935, Yale, S.D., to Dec. 26, 2020, Valparaiso, Ind.; son of Carl and Amanda (Kuehl) Boetel; graduated Seward 1958.  Served 1958-2002.  Schools/Ministries: Sydney, Neb.; Junction City, Kan.; Valparaiso, Ind.  Retired 2002.  Survivors: Gloria (Kolterman) Boetel; son: Brian; daughters: Yvette Leffew, Megan Pendleton.  Funeral: Jan. 9, 2021, Valparaiso, Ind.

BOWDEN, SUE A., Jan. 16, 1947, Springfield, Ill., to Dec. 25, 2020, Springfield, Ill.; daughter of Harry and Mildred (Schulze) Bowden; graduated River Forest 1986.  Served 1986-2007.  Schools/Ministries: Springfield, Champaign, Alexandria, Ill.  Retired 2007.  Funeral and Interment: Dec. 30, 2020, Springfield, Ill.

CLAUS, KENNETH F., Feb. 17, 1940, Norfolk, Neb., to Oct. 27, 2020, Saginaw, Mich.; son of Herman and Esther (Schade) Claus; graduated Seward 1961.  Served 1961-2003.  Schools/Ministries: Watertown, Wis.; Hammond, Evansville, Ind.; Saginaw, Waterford, Mich.  Retired 2003.  Survivors: Donna (Oppermann) Claus; sons: Jim, Brian; daughter: Lori.  Funeral and Interment: Nov. 4, 2020, Saginaw, Mich.

GARRISON, JAMES M., June 29, 1931, St. Louis, Mo., to Oct. 3, 2020, St. Clair, Mo.; son of William and Mildred Garrison; graduated River Forest 1954.  Served 1954-1996.  Schools/Ministries: Washington, St. Clair, Mo.  Retired 1996.  Survivors: Paula (Simmons) Garrison; daughter: Cynthia Baker.  Memorial Service: St. Clair, Mo.; Interment: Oct. 10, 2020, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo.

GOMEZ, CARLOS A., June 1, 1948, Kansas City, Mo., to Jan. 5, 2021, Waterloo, Iowa; son of Salvador and Emma (Garza Jimenez) Gomez; graduated St. Paul 1978.  Served 1979-2002.  Schools/Ministries: Manistee, Detroit, Mich.; Hialeah, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Victor, Readlyn, Waterloo, Iowa.  Retired 2005.  Survivors: Linda (Poock) Gomez; sons: Jason, Nicholas, Jeremy.  Funeral: Jan. 12, 2021, Cedar Falls, Iowa; cremation.

GREWE, RALPH ARTHUR, May 20, 1936, Des Plaines, Ill., to Aug. 18, 2020, The Villages, Fla.; graduated River Forest 1958.  Served 1958-1998.  School/Ministry: Ft. Wayne, Ind.  Retired 1998.  Survivors: Janice (Juhnke) Grewe; sons: Mark, Thomas; daughter: Luanne Kompa.  Celebration of Life: Aug. 22, 2020, Lady Lake, Fla.

KELL, LUTHER PAUL, Aug. 6, 1949, Merrill, Wis., to Jan. 8, 2021, Auburn Hills, Mich.; graduated St. Paul 1971.  Served 1971-2011.  Schools/Ministries: Fremont, Neb.; Bonduel, Wis.; Walled Lake, Sterling Heights, Mich.  Retired 2011.  Survivors: Pamela (Martin) Kell; daughter: Jennifer Dejesus.  Funeral: Jan. 13, 2021, Clarkston, Mich.

KEUP, ALLAN LOUIS, June 13, 1943, Reed City, Mich., to Jan. 21, 2021, Mequon, Wis.; son of Helmuth and Paula (Koepsell) Keup; graduated River Forest 1966.  Served 1966-2011.  Schools/Ministries: Manawa, Wis.; Grand Haven, Mich.; Springfield, Ill.  Retired 2011.  Survivors: Janet (Erickson) Keup; son: Paul; daughters: Jennifer Ankerberg, Erika.  Funeral: Feb. 1, 2021, Horicon, Wis.; Interment: Feb. 1, 2021, Lessor, Wis.

KINZER, ANITA MAE (RENTZ) DEAC., Nov. 25, 1930, Peru, Ind., to Nov. 22, 2020, Auburn, Ind.; daughter of George and Marjorie Rentz; graduated Valparaiso 1952.  Retired 1990.  Preceded in death by her husband Raymond Kinzer.  Survivors; sons: Clifford, Leonard, Daniel, Mike.  Memorial Service: Dec. 5, 2020, Auburn, Ind.

KLAGES, KENNETH J., Jan. 5, 1946, Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Dec. 31, 2020, Saginaw, Mich.; son of Rev. Cecil and Clara (Esslinger) Klages; graduated River Forest 1967.  Served 1967-2020.  Schools/Ministries: Chicago, Ill.; Muskegon, Saginaw, Mich.; Leavenworth, Kan.  Retired 2020.  Survivors: Ruth Klages; daughter: Kristen.  Funeral: Jan. 9, 2021, Saginaw, Mich.

NIERMEIER, ARTHUR H., Dec. 9, 1941, Houston, Texas, to May 25, 2020, Winter Haven, Fla.; son of Henry and Bertha Niermeier; graduated Seward 1965.  Served 1965-1999, 2002-2003.  Schools/Ministries: Ocala, Fla.; Bridgeman, Mich.  Retired 2009.  Survivors: Ellen (Lemk) Niermeier; son; Michael; daughters: Wendy Brennan, Julie Polanowski.  Memorial Service: June 28, 2020, Lake Wales. Fla.

NOVAK, CHARLES JOSEPH JR., Nov. 26, 1952, Chicago, Ill., to Jan. 13, 2021, Glenview, Ill.; son of Charles Sr. and Marie (Schalk) Novak; graduated River Forest 1981.  Served 1981-2018.  Schools/Ministries: Forest Park, Glenview, Chicago, Melrose Park, Lombard, Ill.  Retired 2018.  Survivors: Theresa (Schmidt) Novak; daughter: Jacqueline.  Funeral: Jan. 16, 2021, Chicago, Ill.; Interment: Jan. 22, 2021.

PITTELKO, BEVERLY M (MOLLENDORF), Dec. 3, 1935, Wausau, Wis., to Nov. 30, 2020, Elk Grove Village, Ill.; daughter of Rev. George and Betty (Tabea) Mollendorf; graduated River Forest 1957.  Served 1973-1992.  Schools/Ministries: Elk Grove Village, Ill.; Ann Arbor, Mich.  Retired 1992.  Preceded in death by her husband Rev. Dr. Roger Pittelko.  Survivors: son: Rev. Dr. Dean; daughter: Susan Gorecki. 

PRIEHS, WARREN F., Sept. 23, 1928, Detroit, Mich., to Dec. 27, 2020, Frankenmuth, Mich.; son of Harry and Elsie Priehs; colloquy 1986.  Served 1986-1992.  School/Parish: St. Clair, Mich.  Retired 1992.  Preceded in death by his wife Mary Priehs.  Survivors: son: Warren; daughters: Jan Schiefer, Jayne Braun, Julie Zill.  Funeral: Dec. 29, 2020, Frankenmuth, Mich.

SCHALK, CARL FLENTGE, Sept. 26, 1929, to Jan. 24, 2021, Melrose Park, Ill.; son of Erich and Elsie Schalk; graduated River Forest 1952.  Served 1952-1993.  Schools/Ministries: Wausau, Wis.; St. Louis, Mo.; River Forest, Ill.  Retired 1993.  Preceded in death by his wife Noel Schalk.  Survivors: son: Timothy; daughters: Jan Westrick, Rebecca Nagel.  Funeral: Feb. 1, 2021, River Forest, Ill.; Interment: Feb. 1, 2021, Forest Park, Ill.

TRAUTSCH, MONICA E (ERNST), Jan. 1, 1930, Baltimore, Md., to Nov. 14, 2020, Palm City, Fla.; graduated River Forest 1950.  Schools/Ministries: Clearwater, Stuart, Fla.  Retired 1995.  Preceded in death by her husband Harold Trautsch.  Survivor: daughter: Magdala Ray.  Graveside Service: Nov. 20, 2020, Palm City, Fla.

WATERMAN, DAVID MICHAEL, Dec. 22, 1951, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Dec. 9, 2020, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; son of Donald and Eunice Waterman; graduated Seward 1974.  Served 1974-2013.  Schools/Ministries: Minneapolis, Minn.; St. Louis, Mo.; Houston, Texas; Sioux Falls, S.D.  Retired 2013.  Survivors: Sherry Waterman; daughters: Kari Johnson, Kelly Phelps.  Funeral and Interment: Dec. 12, 2020, Atkins, Iowa.

WEERTS, EDWARD ROBERT, May 12, 1921, Wentworth, S.D., to April 17, 2020, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Frank and Ida (Eichmann) Weerts; graduated 1942 Seward, Neb.  Served 1942-1985.  Schools/Ministries:  Osmond, Neb.; Yorktown, Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Lakefield, St. Paul, Howard Lake, Minn.  Retired 1985.  Preceded in death by his wife Margaret (Dicke) Weerts.  Survivors: sons: Jon, Joel, Luke; daughter: Gretchen Young.  Funeral: May 4, 2020, Ft. Wayne, Ind.

WURDEMAN, BRUCE EDWARD, Dec. 30, 1948, Independence, Mo., to Nov. 21, 2020, Bullard, Texas; son of Albert and Ruth (Rotermund) Wurdeman; graduated River Forest 1971.  Served 1971-2014.  Schools/Ministries: Bethalto, Ill.; Fargo, N.D.; Eureka, St. Louis, Mo.; Austin, Texas.  Retired 2014.  Survivors: Marijane (Marsh) Wurdeman; sons: Adam, Philip; daughter: Abigail.  Funeral: Dec. 11, 2020, Tyler, Texas.