IN MEMORIAM (January 2022)
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
BELK, JACK ARNOLD REV., Oct. 10, 1949, Detroit, Mich., to Oct. 16, 2021, Bloomington, Ind.; son of Bernard and Jean (Mundt) Belk; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Medora, Leesville, Brownstown, Ind.; Fort Dodge, Iowa. Survivors: Elaine (Schwarz) Belk; sons: Philip, David; daughter: Lindsay Johnson. Funeral: Oct. 23, 2021, Seymour, Ind.; Interment: Oct. 24, 2021, Pinckneyville, Ill.
BERNTHAL, DAVID H. REV. DR., May 18, 1940, Highland, Ill., to Oct. 7, 2021, Juliette, Ga.; son of Harold and Lois (Richert) Bernthal; graduated Springfield Seminary 1971. Served 1971-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Columbus, Athens, Ga.; Miami, Winter Haven, Fla. Retired 2004. Survivors: Paulette Bernthal; sons: Michael, Steven; daughter: Michele Lenoir. Memorial Service: Oct. 16, 2021, Perry, Ga.
BROSTROM, DENNIS P. REV. DR., March 15, 1950, St. Paul, Minn., to Oct. 30, 2021, Duluth, Minn.; son of Donald and Marian (Johnson) Brostrom; colloquy 1999. Served 1999-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Silver Bay, Two Harbors, Minn. Retired 2016. Survivor: Karen (Andersen) Brostrom. Funeral: Nov. 18, 2021, Silver Bay, Minn.
BRUNING, ALTON JAMES REV., June 11, 1938, Middleport, N.Y., to Oct. 3, 2021, Ashland, Va.; son of Walter and Alice (Reaboldt) Bruning; graduated Springfield Seminary 1965. Served 1965-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Thermopolis, Wyo.; Wallingford, Conn.; Warren, Mich.; Independence, Ohio. Retired 2000. Survivors: Marge (Vogler) Bruning; son: Matthew; daughter: Bethany Hover. Memorial Service: Oct. 9, 2021, Richmond, Va.
FAERBER, RICHARD BERTRAND REV., March 1, 1919, Alexandria, La., to May 2, 2021, Mesa, Ariz.; son of Charles and Alethea (Jones) Faerber; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1943. Served 1943-1982. Ministries/Parishes: Wartburg, Camp Austin, Erwin, Morristown, Tenn.; Midland, Texas; Baguio City, Philippines; Rialto, Oceanside, Calif.; Western District Circuit Visitor 1950-1954; Southern California District Circuit Visitor 1972-1978. Retired 1982. Preceded in death by his wife Esther (Heidel) Faerber. Survivors: sons: Richard, Mark; daughters: Esther Daniels, Miriam Nichols.
GABRAM, GORDON O. REV., Sept. 5, 1927, Akron, Ohio, to May 15, 2021, Ellicott City, Md.; son of Otto and Bertha (Ziesmann) Gabram; graduated Springfield Seminary 1951. Served 1951-1980. Ministries/Parishes: Glendale, N.Y.; U.S. Army Military Chaplain; Norfolk, Va. Retired 1982. Survivors: Carol (Schafer) Gabram; daughters: Stephanie, Sheryl, Suzanne. Memorial Service: Oct. 21, 2021, Arlington, Va.
HERZOG, JOHN A. REV. DR., July 29, 1946, St. Louis, Mo., to Oct. 26, 2021, Chesterfield, Mich.; son of Arthur and Marie (Wildgrube) Herzog; graduated Springfield Seminary 1974. Served 1979-2011. Ministry/Parish: Detroit, Mich. Retired 2011. Survivors: Marlene (Federwitz) Herzog; sons: David, Scott. Funeral: Nov. 6, 2021, Detroit, Mich.
HINCK, DAVID EWALD REV., Aug. 30, 1941, Minneapolis, Minn., to Sept. 30, 2021, Bloomington, Minn.; son of Walter and Clara (Voehl) Hinck; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1967. Served 1967-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Montgomery, Ala.; River Falls, Wis.; Mounds View, Richfield, Minn.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Minnesota South District Circuit Visitor 1985-1987. Retired 1999. Survivors: sons: Jason, Aaron, Joshua. Funeral: Oct. 11, 2021, Minneapolis, Minn.
HOMANN, BRIAN PAUL EDWIN REV., April 26, 1991, Mattoon, Ill., to Oct. 14, 2021, Beardstown, Ill.; son of Ed and Lisa (Heddin) Homann; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2021. Served 2021. Ministry/Parish: Beardstown, Ill. Preceded in death by his son August. Survivors: Emily (Hoffman) Homann; daughters: Alayna, Miriam. Funeral and Interment: Oct. 22, 2021, Mattoon, Ill.
HUMMEL, HORACE DWIGHT REV. DR., April 30, 1928, Fairbury, Neb., to Oct. 7, 2021, Escondido, Calif.; son of Lester and Malinda (Meeske) Hummel; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1951. Served 1953-1958, 1970-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Baltimore, Blenheim, Md.; Dubuque, Iowa; South Bend, Valparaiso, Westville, Otis, Ind.; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his son Joel. Survivors: Ruth (Stevenson) Hummel; daughter: Eve. Memorial Service: Oct. 14, 2021, Escondido, Calif.; Interment: Daykin, Neb.
JESKE, ALVIN REV. Jan. 14, 1930, Milwaukee, Wis., to Oct. 11, 2021, Sumner, Iowa; son of Erich and Olga (Bauch) Jeske; graduated Springfield Seminary 1972. Served 1972-1995, 2006-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Kimball, Neb.; Sumner, Iowa; Motley, Verndale, Minn. Retired 2014. Survivors: Linda (Stein) Jeske; son: Bert; daughters: Ruth Hoeger, Carol Armbrecht, Sara O’Dell. Funeral: Oct. 16, 2021, Sumner, Iowa.
JOHNSON, SIDNEY VIRGIL REV., Jan. 18, 1938, Hamlin, Texas, to Sept. 23, 2021, Portland, Ore.; son of Sidney and Alvana (Echtentritz) Johnson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1964-2008. Ministries/Parishes: Portland, Ore. Retired 2008. Survivors: Eileen Johnson; son: Robert; daughter: Jennifer. Funeral: Oct. 16, 2021, Portland, Ore.
KOEHLER, LUTHER ARTHUR REV., Oct. 24, 1929, St. Paul, Minn., to Oct. 2, 2021, Mankato, Minn.; son of Arthur and Florence (Broders) Koehler; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1954. Served 1954-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Duval, Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada; Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada; Adrian, LaMoure, N.D.; Arlington, Minn.; North Dakota District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 2001. Preceded in death by his wife Mildred (Sauer) Koehler and daughter Susan Bittner. Survivors: sons: Thomas, Stephen, Brian; daughters: Deborah Kindelspire, Sarah. Graveside Service and Interment: Courtland, Minn.
KROGEN, RICHARD A. REV., March 31, 1936, Grand Forks, N.D., to Jan. 14, 2021, Blaine, Minn.; son of Arne and Martha (Bunhund) Kroeger; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Worland, Wyo.; Blaine, Rochester, Minn.; Cheektowaga, N.Y.; Malvern, Ark.; Chattanooga, Tenn. Retired 2001. Preceded in death by his wife Lorna (Neumann) Krogen. Survivors: son: Joel; daughters: Suzanne Olson, Sharyn Ham. Funeral: Jan. 22, 2021, Mounds View, Minn.
LAZARCHAK, EDWARD R. REV., Jan. 27, 1942, Bethlehem, Pa., to Oct. 4, 2021, Teaneck, N.J.; son of Charles and Anna (Pekar) Lazarchak; colloquy 2005. Served 2008-2019. Ministry/Parish: Maywood, N.J. Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his wife Susan Lazarchak. Survivors: Donna Lazarchak; sons: Charles, Adam. Memorial Service: Oct. 16, 2021, Bethlehem, Pa.
LLOYD, JEFFREY ELWYN REV., Jan. 16, 1945, Milwaukee, Wis., to Oct. 1, 2021, Bates City, Mo.; son of Elwyn and Alice (Becker) Lloyd; graduated Springfield Seminary 1972. Served 1972-2007. Ministries/Parishes: Gordonville, Creighton, Appleton City, Perryville, Independence, Mo.; Montville, N.J. Retired 2007. Preceded in death by his wife LaVerne (Winkler) Lloyd. Survivors: daughters: Cindy Cary, Kris Reifel. Funeral: October 5, 2021, Oak Grove, Mo.; Interment: Oct. 6, 2021, Gordonville, Mo.
MCCABE, HILTON HERBERT REV., Jan. 27, 1936, Wendell, Idaho, to March 14, 2021, Prescott, Ariz.; son of Herbert and Mary (Klaas) McCabe; colloquy 1973. Served 1973-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Glenshaw, Pa.; Wendell, Gooding, Idaho; Watertown, Wis. Retired 1998. Survivors: Sandra (Weinrich) McCabe; sons: Stephen, Brian, Mark. Interment: March 31, 2021, Fargo, N.D.
MELMS, JOHN HARVEY REV., Aug. 23, 1948, Mt. Clemens, Mich., to Sept. 27, 2021, Sanford, N.C.; son of George and Verna (Fritch) Melms; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2005. Served 2005-2015, 2018-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Pine Bluffs, Wyo.; Grover, Colo.; Southern Pines, Whispering Pines, N.C. Survivors: Mary (Hayes) Melms; sons: Robert, Kenneth, Christopher; daughters: Anne Shilling, Karen. Celebration of Life and Interment: Oct. 1, 2021, Sanford, N.C.
NABINGER, DAVID EARL REV., March 6, 1939, Cleveland, Ohio, to Oct. 18, 2021, Logansport, Ind.; son of Arthur and Frances (Graff) Nabinger; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2006. Served 2006-2014. Ministry/Parish: Arcadia, Fla. Retired 2014. Survivors: Idella (Montgomery) Nabinger; sons: David, Johnathon, David Price, William Price; daughters: Bethe Warner, Beth (Price) Jackson. Funeral: Oct. 22, 2021, Winamac, Ind; Interment: Oct. 22, 2021, Logansport, Ind.
NORDMAN, MARK ANDREW REV., Feb. 19, 1961, Elmhurst, Ill., to Oct. 30, 2021, Cary, Ill.; son of Ronald and Marga (Wangerin) Nordman; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1987. Served 1987-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Pipestone, Minn.; Woodworth, Rochelle, Barrington, Blue Island, Ill. Survivors: Diane (Happel) Nordman; sons: Matthew, Joshua, David; daughter: Sarah. Funeral: Nov. 5, 2021, Palatine, Ill.; Interment: Nov. 5, 2021, Cary, Ill.
OERMANN, ERVIN RUDOLF REV., Feb. 18, 1927, York, Pa., to Oct. 14, 2021, Fernandino Beach, Fla.; son of Karl and Augusta (Schulz) Oermann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953. Served 1953-1988. Ministries/Parishes: Austin, Houston, Texas; Birmingham, Ala.; Opa Locka, N. Miami Beach, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Fla. Retired 1988. Preceded in death by his wife Betty (Arnold) Oermann. Survivors: Jan Oermann; sons: Timothy, David; daughter: Christa Gatchel. Memorial Service: Oct. 27, 2021, Jacksonville, Fla.
PARK, PAUL Y. REV., Nov. 23, 1938, Seoul, Korea, to March 25, 2021, Altadena, Calif.; son of Nae and Bok (Chung) Park; colloquy 1990. Served 1990-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Glendale, Northridge, Calif. Retired 2004. Survivors: daughters: Darleen, Christine.
PASK, WAYNE MARSHALL REV., May 2, 1947, Medina, N.Y., to Sept. 29, 2021, Ashland, Va.; son of Glenn and Marian Pask; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2004. Served 2004-2013. Ministry/Parish: Ashland, Va. Retired 2013. Survivors: Judith (Greenfield) Pask; daughter: Alida Brady. Memorial Service: Oct. 11, 2021, Mechanicsville, Va.
RATHJEN, H. DOUGLAS REV., Aug. 18, 1938, Portage, Wis., to June 9, 2021, Blacksburg, Va.; son of Ellis and Augusta (Henze) Rathjen; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1954. Served 1954-1973, 1976-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Wilmington, De. Odenton, Md.; St. Louis. Mo.; Norlina, N.C. Retired 2000. Survivors: Linda (Dickerson) Rathjen; sons: Jeremy Donaldson, Anthony, Christopher, Aaron Teller; daughter: Talitha Ponder. Memorial Service: June 18, 2021, Blacksburg, Va.
RICHARDSON, CARL J. REV., Dec. 24, 1935, Milan, Ind., to Nov. 2, 2021, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.; son of Thomas and Eva Richardson; colloquy 1970. Served 1982-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Coralville, Fayette, Sherrill, Iowa. Retired 2016. Survivors: son: Eric; daughter: Kimberly. Funeral: November 5, 2021, Marion, Iowa; Interment: Nov. 5, 2021, Sherrill, Iowa.
SCHROEDER, THEODORE WILLIAM REV., Oct. 7, 1939, Youngstown, Ohio, to February 9, 2021, Maple Grove, Minn.; son of Theodore and Verna Schroeder; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965. Served 1965-1988. Ministries/Parishes: Carrollton, White Hall, Ill.; Liberty Center, Aurora, Ohio; Silver Bay, Two Harbors, Minn.; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2005. Survivors: Ellen Schroeder; son: Ted; daughters: Kristen Hochmuth, Naomi Bretz. Memorial Service: Feb. 15, 2021, Plymouth, Minn.
SCHWANDT, JAMES L. REV., Aug. 5, 1932, Big Stone City, S.D., to Aug. 24, 2021, Sumner, Wash., son of Rev. Elmer and Elizabeth (Mueller) Schwandt; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Genoa, Hugo, Colo.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Woodinville, Wash. Retired 1999. Survivors: sons: David, Daniel; daughter: Julie.
SIGMON, STEPHEN D. REV., May 14, 1944, Newton, N.C., to June 1, 2021, Winston-Salem, N.C.; son of J. Lewis and Galdys (Whitener) Sigmon; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970. Served 1970-1997, 2002-2008. Ministries/Parishes: Lexington Park, Md.; Winston-Salem, Greensboro, N.C. Retired 2008. Survivors: Rosemary (Edwards) Sigmon; sons: Douglas, Jeffrey; daughter: Stephanie Smith. Memorial Service: June 10, 2021, Winston-Salem, N.C.
TRIMBERGER, DALE HUGO REV., Oct. 15, 1940, Granton, Wis., to Oct. 20, 2021, Chrisman, Ill.; son of Hugo and Minnie (Buddinger) Trimberger; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1966. Served 1966-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Ann Arbor, Mich.; Poy Sippi, Marshfield, Wis.; St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Columbus, Ind. Retired 2001. Survivors: Karen (Hack) Trimberger; son: Joel; daughter: Ann Titus. Celebration of Life and Intermet: Oct. 25, 2021, Chrisman, Ill.
WHITE, HARRY W. REV., Sept. 16, 1935, Detroit, Mich., to Oct. 7, 2021, Birch Run, Mich; son of Harry Sr. and Agnes (Chernek) White; graduated Springfield Seminary 1960. Served 1960-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Hitchcock, Texas; Rogers City, Hawks, Harbor Beach, Birch Run, Flint, Mich. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his son David. Survivors: Dorothy (Schulte) White; son: Mark; daughter: Mary Woodke. Funeral: Oct. 13, 2021, Frankenmuth, Mich.
COMMISSIONED
ERSLAND, JAC E LU (DEARDOFF), Jan. 2, 1953, Lincoln, Neb., to Oct. 11, 2021, Wichita, Kan.; daughter of Robert and Elda Deardoff; graduated Seward 1976. Served 2008-2016. School/Ministry: Oklahoma City, Okla. Retired 2016. Survivors: Rev. David Ersland; sons: Benjamin, Jacob, Michael; daughters: Rebekah Steffens, Jenny Myers, Margaret Mews. Funeral and Interment: Oct. 15, 2021, Wichita, Kan.
FASZHOLZ, EUGENE ROBERT, Sept. 25, 1929, St. Louis. Mo., to Oct. 11, 2021; son of Richard and Mamie (Krenning) Faszholz; graduated Seward 1958. Served 1958-1992. Schools/Ministries: San Leandro, Calif.; Seward, Neb.; Greendale, Wis. Retired 1992. Survivors: Marian (Backus) Faszholz; son: Gary; daughters: Jeanette Niemann, Karen Greve. Funeral and Interment: Oct. 15, 2021, Seward, Neb.
FRANK, DONALD DUANE, Nov. 17, 1937, Ord, Neb., to July 7, 2021, Cary, N.C.; son of Ernest and Cora Frank; graduated Seward 1959. Served 1959-1986. Schools/Ministries: Readlyn, Waterloo, Iowa; Bay City, Mich.; Hastings, Neb. Retired 2001. Preceded in death by his wife Sherry (Nothwehr) Frank; sons: David, Gary, daughter: Julie. Survivor: son: Randall. Memorial Service: Aug. 7, 2021, Schaumburg, Ill.
GREIMANN, STEVEN PAUL, Nov. 1, 1954, Sheffield, Iowa, to Jan. 31, 2021, Stover, Mo.; son of Paul and Arvilla (Snyder) Greimann; graduated Seward 1979. Served 1979-2018. Schools/Ministries: Stover, Kansas City, Freistatt, Cole Camp, Mo.; Dallas, Texas. Retired 2018. Survivors: Elaine (Waiser) Greimann; daughter: Rachel Oehrke. Funeral: Feb. 4, 2021, Cole Camp. Mo.; Interment: Feb. 4, 2021, Stover, Mo.
KRAATZ, RONALD A., July 14, 1951 to Oct. 4, 2021, Chicago, Ill.; graduated Seward 1973. Served 1973-2011. Schools/Ministries: Centralia, Des Plains, Skokie, Chicago, Ill.; Gretna, La.; Milwaukee, Portage, Wis.; Memphis, Tenn. Retired 2011. Survivor: Kathy (Wondero) Kraatz. Memorial Service: Oct. 14, 2021, Park Ridge, Ill.
ROLF, JOHN EUGENE, Jan. 19, 1953, Saginaw, Mich., to Oct. 25, 2021, Brighton, Colo.; son of Eugene and Elda Rolf; graduated River Forest 1975. Served 1988-2016. Schools/Ministries: Wayne, Mich.; Franktown, Colo.; Wenatchee, Wash. Survivors: Cheryl Rolf; daughters: Anna Smith, Jodi Polson, Nora, Mollie. Funeral: Nov. 2, 2021, Brighton, Colo.
SCHEMPF, RICHARD H., Oct. 10, 1932, Young America, Minn., to Oct. 6, 2021, Clarkston, Mich.; son of Victor and Ruth (Anderson) Schempf; graduated Seward 1955. Served 1955-1995. Schools/Ministries: Detroit, Adrian, Taylor, Clarkston, Mich. Retired 1995. Survivors: Meta (Grulke) Schempf; son: Michael; daughter: Joanne Walsh. Funeral: Oct. 11, 2021, Clarkston, Mich.; Interment: Livonia, Mich.
SNURKA, NANCY CAROL (SIPEREK), March 18, 1944, E. Detroit, Mich., to Sept. 24, 2021, Boulder, Colo.; daughter of John and Alice (Gornowicz) Siperek; graduated River Forest 1965. Served 1986-2004. School/Ministry: Centennial, Colo. Retired 2008. Survivors: Robert Snurka; sons: Jonathan, Robert Jr.; daughter: Lisa Finks. Memorial Service: Oct. 22, 2021, Broomfield, Colo.
TONN, GLORIA JANE (MUELLENBACH), Dec. 7, 1940, Milwaukee, Wis., to Oct. 17, 2021’ daughter of Edward Muellenbach; graduated River Forest 1968. Served 1973-1979, 1983-2011. School/Ministry: Milwaukee, Wis. Retired 2011. Preceded in death by her husband Dale Tonn. Survivor: son: Michael. Memorial Service and Interment: Oct. 29, 2021, Milwaukee, Wis.
WEBER, JOHN MARK, July 22, 1978, Phoenix. Ariz., to Oct. 30, 2021, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Donald and Carey (Einem) Weber; graduated Seward 2001. Served 2002-2021. Schools/Ministries: Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Grand Island, Neb.; Decatur, New Haven, Ind.; Orange, Calif. Survivors: Sara (Masenthin) Weber; son: Gideon; daughters: Hannah, Naomi. Funeral and Interment: Nov. 5, 2021, New Haven, Ind.
WEGNER, RICHARD OTTO, Dec. 25, 1924 to Dec. 27, 2020; graduated River Forest 1946. Served 1946-2019. Schools/Ministries: Danbury, Conn.; Baltimore, Md. Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his wife Viola (Sauer) Wegner. Survivors: sons: Rick, Jay, D. Scott; daughter: Nancy Inners.
ZIELKE, DONALD HENRY, Aug. 8, 1938, Aurora, Ill., to Aug. 9, 2021, Austin, Texas; son of Henry and Emily Zielke; graduated River Forest 1967. Served 1967-2010. School/Ministry: Austin, Texas. Retired 2010. Preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Zielke. Survivors: sons: Jonathan, Daryl; daughters: Deborah, Cynthia. Memorial Service: Aug. 13, 2021, Austin, Texas.
