IN MEMORIAM (October 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
BLANKE, NORWOOD M. REV., Feb. 26, 1935, Bremen, Kan., to July 11, 2022, Ontario, Calif.; son of Martin and Clara (Mueller) Blanke; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Newbury Park, Ontario, Calif.; Pacific Southwest District Circuit Visitor 2004-2013. Retired 2005. Preceded in death by his wife Esther (Hasz) Blanke. Survivors: sons: Rev. Neal, Joel, Jonathan, Karl. Memorial Service: July 16, 2022, Ontario, Calif.; Interment: Bremen, Kan.
CORNIELS, DOUGLAS R. REV., May 10, 1946, Joliet, Ill., to June 23, 2022, Grafton, Wis.; son of Robert and Eleanor (Fox) Corniels; graduated Springfield Seminary 1972. Served 1972-2009. Ministries/Parishes: Spring Fountain, Summer, Iowa.; Wahoo, Neb.; Stoughton, Wis.; Florida, Flatrock Township, Ohio. Retired 2009. Survivors: sons: Mark, Timothy. Service in Remembrance: June 28, 2022, Mequon, Wis.; Interment: Napoleon, Ohio.
COUCH, WILLIAM LEE JR. REV., June 29, 1938, Hannibal, Mo., to June 22, 2022, Knoxville, Tenn.; son of William Sr. and Margaret (Helwig) Couch; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Ft. Smith, Ark.; Memphis, Knoxville, Tenn.; Seward, Neb. Retired 2003. Survivors: Ruth (Greene) Couch; sons: Rev. Mark; daughters: Rebekah Behnke, Sarah Dew, Rachel Smith. Funeral: June 27, 2022, Knoxville, Tenn.; Interment: June 27, 2022, Farragut, Tenn.
GONZALEZ, JUAN ANTONIO REV., July 1, 1957, New York City, N.Y., to May 5, 2022, LeHigh Acres, Fla.; son of Juan and Maria (Franco) Gonzalez; graduated St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada 1988. Served 1988-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Miami, Fla.; Lorain, Ohio; New York, N.Y.; LeHigh Acres, Fla. Survivors: Eva (Virella) Gonzalez; son: Juan; daughters: Evita, Sofia. Funeral: July 1, 2022, Buffalo, N.Y.
LEHENBAUER, OSMAR OTTO REV. DR., Sept. 2, 1929, Arroio de Meio Brazil, South America, to June 28, 2022, Oviedo, Fla.; son of Conrad and Magdalena (Wallner) Lehenbauer; graduated Springfield Seminary 1954. Served 1954-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Ft. Wayne, Ind.; St. Louis, Mo.; Chicago Heights, Ill.; Bristol, Conn.; New England District President 1991-1997. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wife Shirlee (Rieck) Lehenbauer. Survivors: Katherine (Nobis Young) Lehenbauer; sons: Rev. Dr. Joel, Daniel, Eric; daughter: Rebecca Boyd; stepson: Brenton Young; stepdaughter: Monica von Steinman. Memorial Service: July 9, 2022, Oviedo, Fla.
MANTEUFEL, JULIUS EDWIN REV., Aug. 19, 1930, Neenah, Wis., to June 24, 2022, Oshkosh, Wis.; son of Alvin and Ethel Manteufel; colloquy 2001. Joined Pastor Emeritus. Survivors: Charlotte Manteufel; sons: Harvey, David, Timothy, Thomas, Frederick, Alan, Phillip. Funeral: June 30, 2022, Oshkosh, Wis.
MARSHALL, JAMES B. REV., Sept. 9, 1938, Buena Vista, Ala., to June 25, 2022, Mobile, Ala.; son of James and Irene (Salter) Marshall; graduated Greensboro Seminary 1961. Served 1962-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Montgomery, Mobile, Ala.; Southern District Circuit Visitor 1991-1994. Retired 2004. Survivors: Vivian (Mike) Marshall; son: Derick; daughter: Angela. Funeral and Interment: July 2, 2022, Mobile, Ala.
MATZKE, MARVIN LESTER REV., May 25, 1925, Rapidan Township, Minn., to July 10, 2022, Springfield, Ill.; son of Ernest and Paulina (Reinke) Matzke; graduated Springfield Seminary 1949. Served 1949-2011. Ministries/Parishes: Creston, Iowa; Chaplin, Nokomis, El Paso, Normal, Ill.; Central Illinois District Circuit Visitor 1959-1963. Retired 2011. Preceded in death by his wife Esther (Hoener) Matzke. Survivors: sons: Michael, Daniel, Timothy; daughter: Joyce Cress. Funeral: July 16, 2022, Normal, Ill.; Interment: July 16, 2022, El Paso, Ill.
McCOWN, CHESTER LEE REV., March 11, 1943, San Angelo, Texas, to June 21, 2022, Milwaukee, Wis.; son of Wilson and Viola (Helmers) McCown; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1969. Served 1969-2005, 2009-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Crosby, Pasadena, Victoria, San Angelo, Sweetwater, Texas. Survivors: Ollie (Gleghorn) McCown; son: Brett; daughter: Amy Rutherford. Celebration of Life: June 29, 2022, San Angelo, Texas; Interment: June 29, 2022, Miles, Texas.
MEYR, VICTOR HERBERT REV., Feb. 11, 1932, Crete, Ill., to July 18, 2022, Cottage Grove, Minn.; son of Albert and Marie Meyr; graduated Springfield Seminary 1974. Served 1974-1994. Ministry/Parish: Hay Creek Township, Minn.; Minnesota South District Circuit Visitor 1993-1994. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Ramona (Vilmain) Meyr. Survivors: Joanne (Helgerson) Meyr; sons: David, Daniel; daughters: Carol Kampa, Victoria; stepson: Randy Frederrick; step daughters: Pam Dutchin, Lori Rumpca. Funeral: July 25, 2022, Woodbury, Minn.
MUELLER, HOWARD WALTER REV., May 19, 1934, Moline, Ill., to July 10, 2022, Austin, Texas; son of John and Olga (Mennicke) Mueller; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1961-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Avon, S.D.; Doniphan, Wood River, Neb.: Pocahontas, Shawneetown, Mo.; Missouri District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991. Retired 2001. Survivors: Joyce (Barber) Mueller; sons: Jonathan, Matthew; daughter: Kathryn Feusse. Funeral: July 14, 2022, Austin, Texas; Interment: July 20, 2022, Taylor Ridge, Ill.
NASS, BERNARD FREDERICK REV., Jan. 31, 1936, Blue Hill, Neb., to June 15, 2022, Springfield, Va.; son of Harold and Druella (Buss) Nass; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1961-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Clio, Mich.; U.S. Army Chaplain; Alexandria, Va. Retired 2006. Survivors: Elizabeth (Zelez) Nass; daughters: Lisa, Christa. Celebration of Life: July 9, 2022, Alexandria, Va.
NICOLAUS, MARK JOEL REV., March 7, 1944, Sheboygan, Wis., to April 28, 2022, Sidney, Mont.; son of Gordon and Ruth (LaBudde) Nicolaus; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970. Served 1970-1993, 1995-2012. Ministries/Parishes: Kamsack, Stornoway, Saskatchewan, Canada; Edgar, Milan, Wis.; Great Falls, Ronan, Thompson Falls, Mont.; Lincoln, Roca, Neb. Retired 2012. Preceded in death by his wife Jane (Finke) Nicolaus. Survivors: son: Micah; daughters: Leah Snyder, Sarah Petrik. Funeral: May 17, 2022, Edgar, Wis.
RUTTER, EDWARD JOHN REV., April 19, 1921, St. Clair. Mich., to June 16, 2022, Ortonville, Minn.; son of Allen and Emma (Alexy) Rutter; graduated Springfield Seminary 1954. Served 1954-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Wimbledon, Courtenay, Kensal, Wahpeton, Glenburn, N.D.; North Dakota District Circuit Visitor 1958-1964. Retired 1991. Preceded in death by his wife Marian (Jagow) Rutter and sons David and Daniel. Survivors: sons: Allen, Mark, Rev. Steven, Robert; daughters: Janet O’Neill, Laurie Krueger. Funeral: July 14, 2022, Alexandria, Minn.; Interment: July 15, 2022, Wimbledon, N.D.
SCHERBARTH, RAY EDWIN REV., May 1, 1941, Stratford, Ontario, Canada, to June 23, 2022; son of Edwin and Olive (Fischer) Scherbarth; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1984. Served 1984-2022. Ministry/Parish: Birmingham, Mich.; Michigan District Circuit Visitor 2015-2018. Preceded in death by his wife Carol (Vander Luitgaren) Scherbarth. Survivors: Sandra (Taylor) Scherbarth; son: Craig; daughter: Christa Bartley. Funeral: June 28, 2022, Birmingham, Mich.
STENZEL, KENT CHARLES REV., July 19, 1947, N. Tonawanda, N.Y., to March 29, 2022, Hamilton, Mont.; son of Carl and Erna (Pfohl) Stenzel; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1973. Served 1973-2010. Ministries/Parishes: Daykin, Neb.; Ashton, Idaho; Perryville, Mo.; Lafayette, Ind.; Sidney, Fairview, Great Falls, Mont.; Montana District Circuit Visitor 2005-2012. Retired 2010. Survivors: Barbara (Clark) Stenzel; sons: Roger, James; daughter: Kara. Funeral: April 22, 2022, Hamilton, Mont.
WAETJEN, RAYMOND WILLIAM REV., Feb. 14, 1939, St. Paul, Minn., to July 17, 2022, Vancouver, Wash.; son of William and Lida (Ritz) Waetjen; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1967. Served 1967-1996, 1998-2006, 2010-2015, 2017-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Evansville, Ill.; Lincoln, Neb.; Denver, Colo.; Eugene, Corvallis, Portland, Ore.; Vancouver, Tacoma, Battle Ground, Wash. Retired 2018. Survivors: Judith (Stresney) Waetjen; son: Eric; daughters: Anita Garland, Amy Drews. Funeral: Sept. 17, 2022, Vancouver, Wash.
WESSON, JIMMY RAY REV., Nov. 24, 1936, Catawba County, N.C., to June 18, 2022, Newland, N.C.; son of Oscar and Eula (McGee) Wesson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Elizabethtown, Erwin, Tenn.; Asheville, Gastonic, Denver, N.C.; Miami, Fla. Retired 1996. Survivors: Bethie (Smith) Wesson; son: Berman; daughter: Delora.
COMMISSIONED
BATCHELOR, JAMES DERBY, Oct. 22, 1925, Muscatine, Iowa, to July 22, 2022, Wilton, Iowa; son of Francis and Rosa (Derby) Batchelor; colloquy 1964. Served 1964-1989. School/Ministry: Milwaukee, Wis. Retired 1989. Preceded in death by his wife Pearl (Weiss) Batchelor and son Francis. Survivors: son: James; daughters: Mary FitzPatrick, Lydia Witkiewicz, Sarah Dunn, Martha Krieser. Funeral and Interment: July 16, 2022, Wilton, Iowa.
BRUTCHER, JUNE ELVA (KANNING), June 21, 1937, Ft. Wayne, Ind., to June 6, 2022, Beech Grove, Ind.; daughter of Albert and Eleanor (Mertens) Kanning; graduated Seward 1960. Served 1976-2002. Schools/Ministries: Indianapolis, Ind. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by her husband William Brutcher. Survivors: sons: Geary, Joel; daughter: Sheryl Rolf. Funeral and Interment: June 9, 2022, Indianapolis, Ind.
BURCH, MARY JEAN, March 25, 1956, Council Bluffs, Iowa, to May 13, 2022, Springfield, Ill.; daughter of Louis and Betty Burch; graduated Seward 1978. Served 1978-2022. Schools/Ministries: Rockford, Springfield, Ill. Celebration of Life: June 25, 2022, Springfield, Ill; Interment: Logan, Iowa.
BUSSEAU, CRAIG ROBERT, July 26, 1957, W. Covina, Calif., to June 14, 2022, Columbia, Mo.; son of Robert and Shirley (Schroder) Busseau; graduated Seward 1980. Served 1983-2022. Schools/Ministries: Monrovia, Covina, Orange, Calif.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Jacksonville, Ill.; Columbia, Higginsville, Mo. Survivors: Beth Besseau; son: Carl; daughter: Sarah Bellach. Funeral: July 2, 2022, Columbia, Mo.
DRESSLER, LINDA KAY (SCHOENLEBER), Jan. 28, 1953, Wood River, Ill., to July 21, 2022, Perryville, Ill.; daughter of Delmar and Marcella (Smith) Dressler; graduated River Forest 1975. Served 1975-1979, 1981-1982, 1984-1985, 1987-1988, 1991-1993, 2005-2010. Schools/Ministries: Cleveland, Ohio; Belleville, Springfield, Ill.; Uniontown, Altenburg, Mo.; Brownstown, Ind. Retired 2010. Survivors: Rev. Steven Dressler; son: Robert; daughters: Nancy Blackard, Kelly. Funeral and Interment: July 26, 2022, Altenburg, Mo.
HAVRILCSAK, LAURA A. (HART), Jan. 9, 1960, Grand Rapids, Mich., to July 1, 2022, Frankenmuth, Mich.; daughter of Eugene and Ruth Hart; graduated Ann Arbor 1982. Served 1982-2022. Schools/Ministries: Bay City, Kentwood, Fraser, Flint, Mich. Survivors: Gregory Havrilcsak; daughter: Karen. Funeral: July 6, 2022, Frankenmuth, Mich.; Interment: July 7, 2022, Grand Rapids. Mich.
KOEHLER, HENRY ERNEST, Dec. 24, 1941, Des Plaines, Ill., to July 10, 2022, Elmhurst, Ill.; son of Henry and Lilah (Schroeder) Koehler; graduated River Forest 1964. Served 1964-2010. Schools/Ministries: Oak Lawn, Elmhurst, Ill.; Memphis, Tenn.; LaPorte, Ind. Retired 2010. Survivors: Karen (Kupczak) Koehler; son: Timothy; daughters: Becky Johnson, Kristi Cullor. Funeral: July 23, 2022, Elmhurst, Ill.; Interment: July 23, 2022, Des Plaines, Ill.
KUPSKY, JOHN A., April 25, 1937, Shawano, Wis., to June 20, 2022, Wausau, Wis.; son of Adolph and Cecelia (Marquardt) Kupsky; graduated River Forest 1964. Served 1964-2000. Schools/Ministries: Northbrook, Ill.; Wausau, Wis. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife Elfrieda (Grandt) Kupsky. Survivor: daughter: Dee. Funeral: July 16, 2022, Wausau, Wis.
