IN MEMORIAM (October 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
BREWER, RICHARD PAULSEN REV., Oct. 12, 1932, Webster City, Iowa, to July 16, 2021, Pleasant Hill, Calif.; son of Joseph and Viola (Paulsen) Brewer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Portland, Ore.; Pleasant Hill, Calif.; Northwest District Circuit Visitor 1961-1963. Retired 1998. Survivors: Bernita (Ohm) Brewer; sons: Andrew, Peter; daughters: Sara Sing, Mary Wolkenhauer. Memorial Service: Oct. 9, 2021, Pleasant Hill, Calif.
EBERT, DAVID FREDERICK REV., Aug. 31, 1933, Dallas, Texas, to July 22, 2021, Fredericksburg, Texas; son of Arthur and Mary (Baldwin) Ebert; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1998. Ministries/Parishes: El Dorado, Ark.; Hamilton, Stephenville, Ft. Stockton, Rankin, Plainview, Sealy, Lincoln, Texas; Texas District Circuit Visitor 2003-2012. Retired 1998. Survivors: Audrey (Wutzke) Ebert; sons: Daniel, Timothy; daughter: Kathleen. Funeral and Interment: July 27, 2021, Fredericksburg, Texas.
FAULSTICK, ROY BERNARD REV., Aug. 21, 1935, Brooklyn, N.Y., to July 18, 2021, Carlsbad, Calif.; son of Rev. Alfred and Eleanor (Tupack) Faulstick; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1961-1965, 2006-2007. Ministries/Parishes: Wayland, Wyoming, Mich. Retired 2007. Survivors: Joyce (Schlichting) Faulstick; son: Luke; daughters: Gaye Garvelink, Joy Schuster, Renee White. Funeral: July 25, 2021, Escondido, Calif.
FUEHLER, KENNETH MARTIN REV., June 5, 1944, St. Louis, Mo., to June 30, 2021; son of Martin and Erna (Oettel) Fuehler; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1970. Served 1970-1997, 2005-2017, 2019-2020. Ministries/Parishes: Hazelton, Pa.; Buffalo, N.Y.; St. Charles, Mo.; Claremont, Greensboro, N.C.; Ft. Lauderdale, N. Palm Beach, Naples, Fla.; Fairbanks, Alaska. Retired 2020. Survivors: Cheryl (Alexy) Fuehler; son: Kevin; daughter; Kristin Stowe. Funeral: Aug. 1, 2021, Greensboro, N.C.
GERKEN, RICHARD WALTER REV., Oct. 8, 1939, Watseka, Ill., to June 24, 2021, Des Moines, Wash.; son of Rev. Walter and Elizabeth (Hagemann) Gerken; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965. Served 1965-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Bremerton, Seattle, Wash.; Northwest District Circuit Visitor 1990-1997. Retired 2003. Survivors: Kathryn (Kurz) Gerken; sons: Timothy, Mark; daughters: Susan Gracey, Rebecca.
HARDING, MICHAEL STEPHEN REV., Sept. 21, 1947, Lockport, Ill., to July 15, 2021, Phoenix, Ariz.; son of Gerald and Virginia (Bethard) Harding; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1985. Served 1985-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Andrews, Richardson, Texas; Phoenix, Ariz. Retired 2013. Survivors: Brenda (Cherry) Harding; son: Ty. Memorial Service: Aug. 14, 2021, Peoria, Ariz.; Interment: Oct. 2021, Phoenix, Ariz.
HARTFIELD, PAUL WALTER REV., Aug. 11, 1936, Hillsboro, Texas, to June 19, 2021, Serbin, Texas; son of Rev. Herbert and Frieda (Maas) Hartfield; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1997, 2006-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Mannville, Vegreville, Bruce, Alberta, Canada; Brenham, Serbin, Loebau, Texas; Texas District Circuit Visitor 1985-1989. Retired 2015. Preceded in death by his son Thomas and daughter Lisa. Survivors: Cydell (Lehmann) Hartfield; sons: Douglas, Timothy; daughters: Lana Kaiser, Julianne Kasper. Funeral and Interment: June 24, 2021, Giddings, Texas.
HEADAPOHL, GARY DEAN REV., Aug. 17, 1937, Detroit, Mich., to June 21, 2021; son of Raymond and Ruth (Howell) Headapohl; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1984. Served 1984-2002. Ministry/Parish: Westland, Mich. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by his sons, Richard and William. Survivors: Virginia (Randall) Headapohl; son: James. Funeral: June 25, 2021, Detroit, Mich.
ILLIAN, DONALD C. REV., July 23, 1937, Midland, S.D., to June 13, 2021, Cedar Falls, Iowa; son of Charles and Marie (Getz) Illian; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1980, 1983-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Barnes, Kan.; Ankeny, Denver, Iowa. Retired 2002. Survivors: Kathryn (Jensen) Illian; sons: Joel, Jonathan, Joshua. Funeral: June 19, 2021, Cedar Falls, Iowa; Interment: June 21, 2021, Atlantic, Iowa.
KAARRE, DAVID MICHAEL REV., Feb. 26, 1952, Lansing, Mich., to July 22, 2021, Grand Rapids, Mich.; son of Ruben and Eleanor (Soyring) Kaarre; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1986. Served 1986-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Flat Valley, St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, Canada; Merrill, Wis. Retired 2005. Memorial Service and Interment: August 7, 2021, West Branch, Mich.
KEHRET, DAVID H. REV., April 1, 1942, Marshalltown, Iowa, to June 17, 2021, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; son of George and Caroline (Tensmeyer) Kehret; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1967. Served 1967-2002, 2011- 2021. Ministries/Parishes: McGregor, Elkader, Iowa; Omaha, Neb.; Valparaiso, Ind.; Charlottesville, Va.; Toccoa, Ga.; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Preceded in death by his wife Helen (Scheumann) Kehret, daughter Rebecca and son Timothy. Survivor: son: Matthew. Memorial Service: Valparaiso, Ind.
LAI, HENRY HON SUN REV., June 16, 1936, Kowloon, Hong Kong, to July 16, 2021; son of Ngai Kwan Lai and Wong Wun Chiu; colloquy 1987. Served 1988-1993, 1998, 2021. Ministries/Parishes: Union City, Oakland, Calif. Survivors: Gayle (Falk) Lai; son: David; daughters: Grace Malonai, Joyce Geisinger, Ruth Likio, Lily Chan. Funeral: July 30, 2021, San Lorenzo, Calif.
LANGE, JAMES ALVIN REV., April 5, 1929, McClusky, N.D., to June 30, 2021, Weldon Springs, Mo.; son of Alvin and Selma (Lohoefner) Lange; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1982. Served 1982-1994. Ministry/Parish: Glen Burnie, Md.; Southeastern District Circuit Visitor 1988-1994. Retired 1994. Survivors: Grace (Grossheim) Lange; son: Martin; daughter: Rebecca. Funeral: July 7, 2021, St. Charles, Mo.; Interment: July 7, 2021, St. Louis. Mo.
MCKELVEY, DONALD BYRON SR. REV., April 4, 1933, Detroit, Mich., to June 13, 2021, O’Fallon, Ill.; son of Byron and Ester McKelvey; colloquy 1987. Served 1987-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Brussels, Lebanon, Ill. Retired 1998. Survivors: Jean (Winning) McKelvey; sons: Donald Jr., Stephen, Scott, Timothy; daughter: Sandra Williams. Funeral and Interment: June 18, 2021, Livonia, Mich.
MUSGROVE, ALVIN WILLIAM JR. REV., Sept. 15, 1932, Westfield, Texas, to July 26, 2021, Cypress, Texas; son of Alvin Sr. and Leona (Mittelstedt) Musgrove; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Andover, Ferney, S.D.; Katy, Cypress, Texas. Preceded in death by his daughter Suzan. Survivors: Elva (Sanders) Musgrove; son: Jeffrey; daughters: Celeste, Colette Lau. Funeral: Aug. 4, 2021, Cypress, Texas; Interment: Aug. 4, 2021, Houston, Texas.
RALL, EUGENE E. REV., Feb. 1, 1927, Sheridan County, Kan., to July 18, 2021, Davenport, Iowa; son of Eugene and Irene (Richter) Rall; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Pearsall, McAllen, Texas; Richfield, Chisholm, Warren, Radium, Minn.; Clinton, Iowa. Retired 1992. Preceded in death by his wife Geraldine (Thane) Rall. Survivors: sons: Timothy, David; daughter: Christine Sorenson. Funeral and Interment: July 22, 2021, Clinton, Iowa.
SCHULTZ, RONALD L. REV., Nov. 10, 1930, Kenosha, Wis., to June 16, 2021, Berlin, Wis.; son of Ferdinand and Emma (Kipp) Schultz; graduated Thiensville Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1994. Ministries/Parishes: South Shore, Philip, Milesville, S.D.; Columbus, Neb.; Washburn, LaRose, Ill.; Decatur, Ind.; Hillpoint, Neshkoro, Montello, Westfield, Wis. Retired 1994. Survivors: Lovella (Schmidt) Schultz; son: Rev. Andrew; daughters: Maria Urban, Sarah Thorpe, Anna Madigan, Elizabeth Christenson. Funeral and Interment: June 24, 2021, Neshkoro, Wis.
SEITZ, RONALD W. REV., Nov. 20, 1933, Baltimore, Md., to Jan. 22, 2021, Jackson, Mich.; son of Wilmer and Lillian (Bowman Killian) Seitz; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-1977. Ministries/Parishes: Kinnear, Dubois, Wyo.; Ellendale, N.D.; South Bend, Ind. Retired 2012. Preceded in death by his son Douglas. Survivors: Olga (Arriaga) Seitz; sons: Linden, Timothy; daughters: Jane Boyle, Sarabeth Corbett. Celebration of Life: Michigan Center, Mich.
THOMPSON, RICHARD BERNARD REV. DR., April 27, 1939, San Francisco, Calif., to July 8, 2021, Lincoln, Calif.; son of Harold and Tatiana Thompson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1970, 1980-1991, 1998-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Eureka, Mont.; San Jose, San Francisco, Calif.; Obot Idim, Nigeria; Chugiak, Alaska; Shreveport, Clinton, La. Retired 2005. Survivors: Doris (Wisman) Thompson; sons: Todd, Bradley; daughters: Rachel Bate, Samantha.
VINCENT, ARTHUR MARION REV. DR., March 20, 1918, Mena, Ark., to Dec. 17, 2020, Charlotte, N.C.; son of Clarence and Lydia (Leathers) Vincent; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1946. Served 1946-1978. Ministries/Parishes: Alton, Ill.; U.S. Airforce Military Chaplain; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 1978. Preceded in death by his wife Joanna (Eckstein) Vincent. Survivors: Nancy (Mather) Vincent; son Michael; stepson: Michael; stepdaughters: Julie, Susan, Stephanie. Funeral: Dec. 12, 2020, Matthews, N.C.; Interment: Dec. 15, 2020, Blowing Rock, N.C.
ZIEKERT, WILFRED LEONARD REV., Feb. 7, 1929, Chicago, Ill., to July 24, 2021, Branson, Mo.; son of Adolph and Hilda (Hoppenrath) Ziekert; graduated Springfield Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Cape Girardeau, Branson, Mo.; Rensselaer, Goodland, Ind.; Morrison, Ill.; Bonner Springs, Lyons, Kan. Retired 1991. Survivors: Dorothy (Meyer) Ziekert; daughters: Kathy O’Dea, Lora Vomhof, Sara Rolf. Celebration of Life: Aug. 14, 2021, Branson, Mo.; cremation.
COMMISSIONED
ARLDT, JUDITH L. (ROBISON), March 8, 1940, Akron, Ohio, to April 4, 2021, Austin, Texas; daughter of Howard Sr. and Erna Robsion; graduated Austin 1985. Served 1986-1999. School/Ministry: Austin, Texas. Retired 1999. Survivors: Frank Arldt; son: James; daughter: Linda Becker. Funeral: April 10, 2021, Austin, Texas.
DIERKS, WERNER EUGENE, Dec. 18, 1922, W. Bloomfield, Wis., to July 24, 2021, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of August and Bertha (Hakeneis) Dierks; graduated River Forest 1944. Served 1944-1985. Schools/Ministries: Elmwood Park, Ill.; Ft. Wayne, Ind. Retired 1985. Preceded in death by his wives Evelyn Dierks, Maxine Dierks and son Duane. Survivors: sons: Dick, David; daughter: DeAnn. Funeral and Interment: July 29, 2021, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
ELMSHAEUSER, ORVILLE LEONARD, Jan. 23, 1934, Ogallala, Neb., to June 16, 2021, Bettendorf, Iowa; son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Twiestmeyer) Elmshaeuser; graduated Seward 1955. Served 1955-1994. Schools/Ministries: Evansville, Ind.; Lincoln, Neb.; Cedar Rapids, Wilton, Iowa. Retired 2001. Survivors: Vera (Schulz) Elmshaeuser; son: Karl; daughters: Beth Campbell, Sarah Stellick, Maria Hansen. Funeral: June 19, 2021, Eldridge, Iowa; Interment: Ogallala, Neb.
KOENIG, DAVID LEE, March 11, 1939, Wichita Falls, Texas, to March 9, 2021, Amarillo, Texas; son of Norman and Allene (Bevers) Koenig; graduated Seward 1961. Served 1961-1995. Schools/Ministries: Chattanooga, Tenn.; Wichita, Kan.; St. Louis, Mo.; McAllen, Austin, Texas. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by his son Jonathan. Survivors: Rhoda (Gorthy) Koenig; son: Christopher; daughter: Janet Schwartzenberg. Memorial Service: March 13, 2021, Amarillo, Texas.
KUNZ, REYNOLD WALTER, June 25, 1934, St. Louis, Mo., to June 19, 2021, Ft. Worth, Texas; son of Theodore and Elsa (Faerber) Kunz; graduated River Forest 1956. Served 1956-1999. Schools/Ministries: Evansville, Ind.; Houston, Tomball, Friendswood, Corpus Christi, Texas; Knoxville, Tenn. Retired 1999. Survivors: Ann (Drews) Kunz; son: David; daughter: Enid. Funeral: June 24, 2021, Ft. Worth, Texas.
MILZ, GEORGE DAVID, April 2, 1930, Detroit, Mich., to June 19, 2021, Livonia, Mich.; son of George and Esther (Hanow) Milz; colloquy 1984. Served 1995-2017. School/ Ministry: Redford, Mich. Retired 2017. Survivors: Margie (Rinnas) Milz; sons: Rev. David, Stephen; daughters: Elaine Gavin, Amy. Funeral and Interment: June 25, 2021, Livonia, Mich.
WILLIAMS, JOHN HERBERT, May 11, 1954, Kansas City, Mo., to June 18, 2021, Kingwood, Texas; son of Herbert and Helen (O’Connor) Williams; graduated St. Paul 1976. Served 1983-2016. Schools/ Ministries: Bethany, Okla.; Kingwood, Texas. Retired 2016. Survivors: Lynn (Kroonblawd) Williams; son: Sean; daughters: Sara, Kristen Huntington, Erin, Memorial Service: July 10, 2021, Kingwood, Texas.
CORRECTION
HALFMANN, WALTER K., Jan. 16, 1947, Flushing, N.Y., to March 10, 2021, Tampa, Fla.; son of Walter and Clare (Banker) Halfmann; graduated Seward 1968. Served 1968-2006. Schools/Ministries: Vincennes, Seymour, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Staten Island, Buffalo, N.Y.; Saginaw, Mich.; Tampa, Fla. Retired 2006. Survivors: Norma (Rhone) Halfmann; daughter: Meredith Ackerman. Celebration of Life: June 12, 2021, Tampa, Fla.
