IN MEMORIAM (June/July 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
BELTZ, DEWYTH DEINES REV., March 17, 1927, Bazine, Kan., to March 13, 2022, Lakeway, Texas; son of George and Amelia (Deines) Beltz; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1952. Served 1952-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Rosebud, Cameron, Lufkin, Klein, Texas. Retired 1991. Survivors: Esther (Thies) Beltz; son: Rev. Terry; daughter: Sherri Swanson. Memorial Service: March 26, 2022, Austin, Texas.
BRUSCO, STEPHEN R. JR. REV., July 23, 1931, Westfield, Mass., to March 4, 2022, Westfield, Mass.; son of Stephen Sr. and Mary (Bogden) Brusco; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Beaver Falls, Northeast, Pa.; Keene, N.H. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by his son Sergio. Survivors: Pauline (O’Brien) Brusco; sons: Peter, Philip Honkala, Michael Honkala; daughters: Kim Hill, Flori Abshier, Marta Blake, Emma Morris, Abigail. Funeral: March 12, 2022, Keene, N.H.; Interment: March 14, 2022, Westfield, Mass.
BURCH, DON EDWARD REV., June 3, 1938, Warren, Mich., to March 16, 2022, Breeze Park, Mo.; son of Edward and Thelma (Ward) Burch; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1972, 1978-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Taylorsville, N.C.; May City, Ocheyedan, Iowa; Seward, Neb.; St. Louis, Mo.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Indianapolis, Ind. Retired 2000. Survivors: sons: John, Michael, Paul, Daniel; daughter: Elizabeth Fruend.
CLAWSON, RONALD ARTHUR REV., Aug. 4, 1935, Chicago, Ill., to Jan. 29, 2022, Elk Grove, Calif.; son of Charles and Helen (Koenig) Clawson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1961-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Dix Hills, Long Island, N.Y.; Oaklawn, Ill; Los Angeles, Calif.; Stamford, Conn. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by his daughter Cynthia. Survivors: Barbara (Todt) Clawson; son: David; daughters: Debra Mandanici, Ronda Pagnini. Memorial Service: Feb. 26, 2022, Elk Grove, Calif.
GERDES, LARRY W. REV., Feb. 26, 1943, Ponca, Neb., to Jan. 27, 2022, Rochester, N.Y.; son of George and Minnie (Panhorst) Gerdes; colloquy 1982. Served 1982-1983, 1988-2008. Ministries/Parishes: Columbia, York, Morrisdale, Pa.; Rome, Sylvan Beach, W. Henrietta, N.Y. Retired 2008. Survivors: Debbie (Collins) Gerdes; sons: Matthew, Scott, Craig, Kurt; daughters: Tracey, Lisa, Katie. Celebration of Life: March 12, 2022, Wellsville, N.Y.
GERKEN, PHILIP JOSEPH REV., May 13, 1926, Beatrice, Neb., to Feb. 16, 2022, Durham, N.C.; son of Rev. Joseph and Marie (Salzman) Gerken; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1951. Served 1951-1977. Ministries/Parishes: Omaha, Neb.; Jacksonville, Mandarin, Fla.; Crestwood, Mo.; Rockville, Md. Retired 1981. Preceded in death by his sons Joseph and John. Survivors: Frances (Mueller) Gerken; daughters: Carol Walton, Paula Szabo, Mary. Memorial Service: March 25, 2022, Durham, N.C.
GOCKEN, RONALD EDWARD REV., Sept. 26, 1936, Wausau, Wis., to Feb. 19, 2022, Buckley, Wash.; son of Edward and Anna (Hoeft) Gocken; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Newcastle, N.Y.; Chamberlain, S.D.; Omaha, Neb.; Mercer Island, Bellevue, Wash.; Nebraska District Circuit Visitor 1979-1981. Retired 1996. Preceded in death by his wife Janet (Hawthorne) Gocken. Survivors: Dorothy (Prybylski) Gocken; son: Patrick; daughter: Kimberly Adams; stepson: Joel Prybylski; stepdaughter: Rachel Ashton. Funeral: March 26, 2022, Tacoma, Wash.
HEIMSOTH, ELTON N. REV., April 15, 1933, Arriba, Colo., to March 2, 2022, Lombard, Ill.; son of Norman and Oda (Jagels) Heimsoth; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Kinston, N.C.; Bay City, Mich.; Lombard, Ill. Retired 1998. Survivors: Carol (Goehner) Heimsoth; sons: James, Peter; daughter: Kris Milas. Service of Praise and Victory: March 12, 2022, Lombard, Ill.; Interment: March 12, 2022, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.
HELMICH, CLARENCE W. REV., Sept. 23, 1935, Benton, Ark., to March 27, 2022, Oviedo, Fla.; son of John and Edna (Hill) Helmich; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Minnesota Lake, Minn.; Harvey, Yorkville, Milford, Dwight, Ill.; Murray, Ky.; Mid-South District Circuit Visitor 1988-1992. Retired 1997. Survivors: Dorothy (Becker) Helmich; sons: Gregg, Douglas; daughter: Lori.
HOUPPERT, ERNEST RODRIQUEZ REV., Dec. 29, 1954, Mobile, Ala., to March 19, 2022, The Woodlands, Texas; son of James and Marie (Sullivan) Houppert; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1985. Served 1985-1994, 2001-2010, 2012-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Silver Creek, Minn.: Winchester, Charlottesville, Va.; Macon, Ga.; New Orleans, La.; Wallis, Texas. Preceded in death by his wife Linda (Kaiser) Houppert. Funeral: April 3, 2022, Wallis, Texas; cremation.
JORDAN, HORST WILLIAM REV., Feb. 11, 1941, Hohensalza, East Germany, to Feb. 22, 2022, Wausau, Wis.; son of Ernst and Else (VonSprengel) Jordan; graduated Springfield Seminary 1966. Served 1966-2003, 2005-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Lebanon, West Bend, Madison, Sheboygan, Manawa, Waupaca, Wis. Retired 2015. Survivors: Judith (Grieser) Jordan; sons: John, William; daughter: Linda. Funeral: Feb. 27, 2022, Stevens Point, Wis.; Interment: Stevens Point, Wis.
LUHRING, DONALD L. REV., Sept. 22, 1942, Midland, Mich., to Feb. 11, 2022, Defiance, Ohio; son of Victor and Ruth (Hockemeyer) Luhring; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1968. Served 1968-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Monticello, Ind.; Defiance, Ohio. Survivors: Faye (Wortman) Luhring; children: Cheryl, Curtis, Cindy, Cory. Celebration of Life: Feb. 15, 2022, Defiance, Ohio.
MONTGOMERY, ALLEN O. REV., Dec. 18, 1942, Marshfield, Wis., to March 19, 2022, Rhinelander, Wis.; son of Allen and Lydia (Schlinsog) Montgomery; colloquy 2001. Served 2001-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Gleason, Three Lakes, Wis.; North Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 2003-2009. Survivors: Beatrice (DeLeske) Montgomery; son: Scott; daughter: Darla Neargarth. Funeral: March 25, 2022, Rhinelander, Wis.; Interment: March 26, 2022, Granton, Wis.
PETERSON, ERIC GEORGE REV. DR., Feb. 7, 1944, Jamaica, N.Y., to March 4, 2022, Ashburn, Va.; son of Eric and Sarah (Nyman) Peterson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970. Served 1971-1994, 1996-2007. Ministries/Parishes: Charlotte Hall, La Plata, Hyattsville, Md.; Southeastern District Circuit Visitor 1988-1991. Retired 2007. Survivors: Barbara (Muench) Peterson; son: Joshua; daughter: Kirsten Richter. Funeral: March 27, 2022, Ashburn, Va.
REHRER, RONALD LEROY REV., March 1, 1947, Riverside, Calif., to March 8, 2022, Van Nuys, Calif.; son of LeRoy and Evelyn Rehrer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1973. Served 1973-2022. Ministries/Parishes: S. Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Calif.; California District Circuit Visitor 1983-1987. Survivors: Margaret (Lanier) Rehrer; son: Matthew; daughter: Kimberly. Funeral: March 26, 2022, Winnetka, Calif.
SCHERMBECK, ROBERT H. REV., Nov. 6, 1953, Leavenworth, Kan., to Jan. 15, 2022, Landrum, S.C.; son of Harold and Anna (Cowling) Schermbeck; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1982. Served 1982-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Madison, York, Elk Creek, Neb.; Junction City, Kan.; Nebraska District Circuit Visitor 2000-2019. Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his wife Robin (Taylor) Schermbeck. Survivors: sons: Timothy, Andrew; daughters: Sarah Steward, Amy Froiland. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 22, 2022, Elk Creek, Neb.
SCHRAMM, MARTIN GUSTAV REV., March 27, 1943, Cape Girardeau, Mo., to Feb. 20, 2022, Laguna Hills, Calif.; son of Gustav and Ethel (Zahrndt) Schramm; colloquy 1983. Served 1983-2016. Ministry/Parish: Irvine, Calif. Retired 2016. Survivors: Conni Schramm; son: Andrew; daughter Jenifer. Funeral: April 2, 2022, Irvine, Calif.
TONCRE, WESLEY MICHAEL REV., Dec. 26, 1937, Cleveland, Ohio, to Jan. 13, 2022, Conway, Ark.; son of Walter and Emma (Baltrunat) Toncre; graduated Springfield Seminary 1962. Served 1962-2011, 2014-2016, 2018-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Phoenix, Ariz.; Miami, Panama City, Fla.; Gadsden, Ala.; Shreveport, La.; N. Little Rock, Russellville, Ark. Retired 2019. Survivors: Esther (Essinger) Toncre; daughters: Stephanie Anderson, Deann Koyn. Celebration of Life: Feb. 12, 2022, Conway, Ark.
COMMISSIONED
ANDERSEN, LARRY ALLEN, June 6, 1957, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, to March 10, 2022, Springfield, Mo.; son of Harvey and Dorothy (Petersen) Andersen; graduated Seward 1979. Served 1979-2018. Schools/Ministries: Denver, Colo.; Tacoma, Wash.; Glendora, Redding, Calif.; Alexandria, Baxter, Minn.; Cole Camp, Mo. Retired 2018. Survivors: Rhonda (Klug) Andersen; son: Joseph; daughter: Bethany Keehner. Memorial Service: March 21, 2022, Republic, Mo.; cremation.
EICHOLTZ, DONALD G., June 9, 1933, Detroit, Mich., to Feb. 26, 2022, Oviedo, Fla.; graduated River Forest 1955. Served 1955-1996. Schools/Ministries: Alma, Kan.; Berrien Springs, Mich.; Racine, Wis.; Ocala, Ft. Lauderdale, Oviedo, Fla. Retired 1996. Survivors: Betty (Kosfeld) Eicholtz; sons: Mark, Tim; daughter: Debbie. Funeral: March 5, 2022, Oviedo, Fla.
HOUSE, JOSEPH ALBERT SR., July 12, 1932, Kirkland, Pa., to Feb. 20, 2022, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; son of Joseph and Ruth House; graduated Seward 1955. Served 1955-1958, 1963-1994. Schools/Ministries: State Center, Boone, Iowa; Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Marie (Grothe) House. Survivors: sons: Joseph Jr., Steven; daughters: M. Katherine Hodge, Richenda Davis. Funeral: March 5, 2022, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; cremation.
LIESE, LLOYD D., May 22, 1933, Chicago, Ill., to Feb. 19, 2022, Willowbrook, Ill.; son of Ernest and Adeline (Schulz Fanslow) Liese; graduated River Forest 1955. Served 1955-1972, 1977-1999. Schools/Ministries: Beardstown, Hinsdale, Ill.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; St. Joseph, Mich. Retired 1999. Survivors: Joanne Liese; sons: Marc, Rev. Michael, Matthew; daughters: Jacqueline Hetzner, Linda Eggert. Funeral: Hinsdale, Ill.; Interment: Brimfield, Ill.
ROLF, ELDA C. (ELBERT), Oct. 1, 1925, Itasca, Ill., to March 1, 2022, Saginaw, Mich.; daughter of Gerhard and Hulda Elbert; graduated River Forest 1968. Served 1973-1987. School/Ministry: Saginaw, Mich. Retired 1987. Survivors: sons: James, Richard; daughter: Ruth Stuwe. Funeral and Interment: March 7, 2022, Saginaw, Mich.
WEBERN, MARILYN E. (MARQUARDT), Aug. 30, 1941, Mountain Lake, Minn., to Nov. 29, 2021, St. Louis, Mo.; daughter of Reinhold and Olga (Mageli) Marquardt; graduated River Forest 1967. Served 1982-1983, 1985-2004. Schools/Ministries: Elmwood Park, Ill.; St. Ann, St. Louis, Mo.; Milwaukee, Wis. Retired 2004. Preceded in death by her husband Rev. Wolfgang Webern. Survivors: daughters: Kaethe Grabenhofer, Carola Gloyd. Cremation.
