IN MEMORIAM (August 2023)
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
AUMANN, ROGER FREDERICK REV., Feb. 23, 1938, Detroit, Mich., to April 6, 2023, Canton, Mich.; son of Leonard and Clara (Moll) Aumann; colloquy 1980. Served 1980-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Canton, Mich. Michigan District Circuit Visitor 1986-1995. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife Patricia Aumann. Survivors: sons: Michael, Stephen. Funeral: April 15, 2023, New Boston, Mich.
BAGWELL, JERRY DON REV., July 26, 1952, Odessa, Texas, to May 5, 2023, Springfield, Ill.; son of Roy and Venita (Fischer) Bagwell; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1981. Served 1981-1998; 1999-2017. Ministries/Parishes: Bowie, Bridgeport, Ft. Worth, Fairfield, Odessa, Texas; Vandalia, Ill. Retired 2017. Survivor: son: Ronnie. Funeral and Interment: May 6, 2023, Dieterich, Ill.
BAISDEN, KENNETH WILBUR REV., March 8, 1932, St. Paul, Minn., to April 9, 2023, Buda, Texas; son of Earl and Valborg (Stockland) Baisden; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-1985; 1986-1994; 1998-2007. Ministries/Parishes: Palestine, Jacksonville, Centerville, Round Rock, Buchanan Dam, Texas; Wickenburg, Ariz.; Aurora, Ill. Retired 2007. Preceded in death by his wife Sylvia (Hallgren) Baisden and sons Jeffrey and John. Survivors: sons: Gary, Thomas; daughter: Karen Foulois. Funeral: April 15, 2023, Austin, Texas; Inurnment: April 15, 2023, Killeen, Texas.
BENING, VIRGIL THEOPHIL REV., Oct. 23, 1944, Beaver, Wis., to March 1, 2023, Claremore, Okla.; son of Sidney and Rosa (Bornfleth) Bening; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970. Served 1970-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Claflin, Kan.; Prescott, Mich. Retired 2004. Survivors: Carolyn (Carstens) Bening; son: Jarrod; daughter: Brenda Matasovsky. Funeral: March 8, 2023, Tulsa, Okla.; Interment: Adair, Okla.
BIRD, GEARY F. REV. DR., April 25, 1931, Vale, Ore., to April 17, 2023, Canon, Ga.; son of Fred and Alice (Hoffman) Bird; graduated Springfield Seminary 1971. Served 1971-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Kalkaska, Detroit, Albion, Mich. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Joyce (Showers) Bird and son Chris. Survivors: sons: Dennis, Michael; daughter: Karen. Funeral: April 25, 2023, Toccoa, Ga.; Interment: Joseph, Ore.
BOECK, RICHARD JOHN JR. REV., May 13, 1952, Milwaukee, Wis., to March 27, 2023, Little Rock, Ark.; son of Richard Sr. and Renate (Ost) Boeck; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1978. Served 1978-1991; 1991-1993; 2011-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Plentywood, Fortuna, Mont.; U.S. Navy Chaplain; Des Moines, Iowa; Lake Geneva, Horicon, Wis. Retired 2009. Survivors: Susan (Dodge) Boeck; sons: Matthew, Jonathan; daughters: Renee, Katherine, Stephanie, Elizabeth. Funeral: April 4, 2023, Hilbert, Wis.
CASE, ROBERT DICK REV., Jan. 4, 1932, Missouri Valley, Iowa, to April 8, 2023, Lubbock, Texas; son of Richard and Vera (Peyton) Case; colloquy 1978. Served 1978-1994; 1999-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, Calif.; Omaha, Neb. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his children Jimmy and Cynthia. Survivors: Mary (Dailey) Case; sons: Roger, Ritchie; daughter: Kathleen Meyer. Funeral: April 13, 2023, Lubbock, Texas.
CLOETER, DAVID CARL REV., Dec. 1, 1935, Annandale, Minn., to April 5, 2023, Perham, Minn.; son of Rev. Arnold and Lola (Nollman) Cloeter; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Greenwood, Miss.; Muscatine, Wapello, Iowa; Kearney, Lincoln, Neb.; Grand Rapids, Minn. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by his wife Doris (Grimm) Cloeter. Survivors: son: Michael; daughters: Julie Stumpfl, Joni Therrien. Funeral and Interment: April 11, 2023, Ottertail, Minn.
DASSOW, GARY RAY REV., Oct. 31, 1939, Medford, Wis., to May 17, 2023, Hoisington, Kan.; son of Bernard and Elaine (Fischer) Dassow; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965. Served 1965-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Nebraska City, Auburn, Neb.; Emmetsburg, Iowa, Hoisington, Kan. Kansas District Circuit Visitor 1989-1991. Retired 2005. Survivors: sons: Craig, Tyler, Matthew; daughter: Bethany Perry. Funeral and Interment: May 22, 2023, Hoisington, Kan.
EBERHART, FRANK EDWARD REV., Dec. 12, 1941, Denver, Colo., to April 4, 2023, Kansas City, Kan.; son of Joseph and Eleanor Eberhart; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1967. Served 1979-2011; 2017-2023. Ministries/Parishes: Farley, Kansas City, Mo.; Kansas City, Kan. Preceded in death by his wife Arline Eberhart. Survivors: son: Jeffrey; daughter: Catherine Stanley. Funeral: April 11, 2023, Kansas City, Kan.
FACKLER, WILLIAM JAMES REV., Feb. 20, 1923, Detroit, Mich., to March 10, 2023, Pasadena, Calif.; son of Rev. E. C. and Ottilie (Trinklein) Fackler; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1947. Served 1947-1985. Ministries/Parishes: Detroit, Mich.; Alhambra, Long Beach, Pasadena, Calif. Retired 1985. Preceded in death by his wife Margaret (Roehrich) Fackler and daughter Elizabeth. Survivors: son: James; daughter: Peggy Keller, Patty. Funeral: March 25, 2023, Pasadena, Calif.; Interment: March 29, 2023, Whittier, Calif.
GARCIA, ERNESTO LOPEZ REV., Nov. 18, 1937, Harlingen, Texas, to April 25, 2023, McAllen, Texas; son of Jose and Librada Garcia Lopez; graduated Springfield Seminary 1966. Served 1966-1985; 1987-2017. Ministries/Parishes: San Antonio, McAllen, Harlingen, Weslaco, Texas. Retired 2017. Survivors: son: Paul; daughter: Sherri St. Clair. Funeral and Interment: April 29, 2023, McAllen, Texas.
GOLZ, ROLAND M. REV., Oct. 4, 1931, Racine, Wis., to April 11, 2023, Colby, Wis.; son of Paul and Martha Golz; colloquy 1973. Served 1973-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Dorchester, Bonduel, Shawano, Clintonville, Gresham, Wis. North Wisconsin Circuit Visitor 1990-1994. Retired 2018. Preceded in death by his wife Violet (Hoge) Golz. Survivors: sons: Richard, Randal. Funeral and Interment: April 20, 2023, Athens, Wis.
HEMENWAY, WILLIAM BURDETT REV., April 14, 1940, Presho, S.D., to May 10, 2023, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; son of Carl and Grace (Mueller) Hemenway; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1969. Served 1969-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Bethalto, Ill.; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Costa Mesa, Calif. Retired 2005. Preceded in death by his wife Susan (Mercier) Hemenway. Survivors: sons: Rev. Paul, Mark. Memorial Service: May 26, 2023, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
HENKE, BARRIE EMIL REV., Feb. 16, 1945, Stillwater, Okla., to March 1, 2023, Parkville, Mo.; son of Bernhardt and Pauline (Montgomery) Henke; graduated Springfield Seminary 1973. Served 1973-2023. Ministries/Parishes: Lakefield, Thief River Falls, Minn.; Onalaska, Wis.; Edmond, Okla. Oklahoma District Circuit Visitor 1997-2009. Oklahoma District President 2009-2022. Preceded in death by his wife Patricia (Gunderman) Henke. Survivor: son: Jason. Funeral: March 5, 2023, Edmond. Okla.; Interment: Fulda, Minn.
HILLE, WILTON E. REV., Dec. 31, 1933, Westlake, Ohio, to April 29, 2023, Spokane, Wash.; son of Edwin and Ella Hille; Colloquy 1973. Served 1973-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Streator, Ill.; Spokane, Wash. Retired 1998. Survivors: Carolyn (Theiss) Hille; sons: Dale, Rev. Kirk, Duane; daughter: Kim Davis. Memorial Service: May 20, 2023, Spokane, Wash.
JOHNSON, ANDREW GLEN REV., Nov. 24, 1990, Carroll, Iowa, to April 4, 2023, Manning, Iowa; son of Thomas and Kathleen (Henderson) Johnson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2017. Served 2017-2023. Ministry/Parish: Manilla, Iowa. Survivor: Tiffany (Owen) Johnson. Funeral and Interment: April 11, 2023, Manilla, Iowa.
KLAUS, KENNETH RICHARD REV. DR., Oct. 20, 1948, Evergreen Park, Ill., to March 23, 2023, Palestine, Texas; son of Richard and Jeanette (Reinhardt) Klaus; graduated Springfield Seminary 1974. Served 1974-2010. Ministries/Parishes: Edgemont, Hot Springs, S.D.; Lakefield, Chaska, Minn.; Danville, Ill.; Dallas, Texas; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2010. Survivors: Pamela (Grabs) Klaus; son: Rev. Kurt; daughters: Kirsten Lenzen, Kristianna Boren. Funeral: March 31, 2023, Gun Barrel City, Texas; Inurnment: April 11, 2023, Chaska, Minn.
KOHL, CARROLL CORNELIUS REV., Aug. 17, 1935, Vernon, Texas, to May 3, 2023, Big Spring, Texas; son of Albert and Bertha (Lutz) Kohl; graduated Springfield Seminary 1961. Served 1961-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Weatherford, Harrold, Big Spring, Texas. Texas District Circuit Visitor 1975-1988. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife M. Leighrene (Thomason) Kohl. Survivors: son: Thomas; daughters: Angela Newton, Glenda Ramsey, Dana Johnson. Funeral: May 14, 2023, Big Spring, Texas; Interment: May 14, 2023, Electra, Texas.
LAUTERBACH, WILLIAM EUGENE REV., Aug. 2, 1931, Waupaca, Wis., to April 2, 2023, Indianapolis, Ind.; son of Rev. William and Lillian Lauterbach; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1955-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Sikeston, Matthews, Mo.; E. Detroit, Albion, Mich.; Greenwood, Indianapolis, Ind. Indiana District Circuit Visitor 1985-1997. Retired 2006. Survivors: Betty Lauterbach; son: William Jr.; daughters: Bethany McArthur, Lynda Hunter, Kristi Fitts; stepchildren: Brett Beilfuss, Christine Jones. Funeral and Interment: April 11, 2023, Indianapolis, Ind.
LOESCH, DONALD D. REV. DR., May 26, 1935, Holt’s Summit, Mo., to April 8, 2023, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; son of Rev. David and Alice (Koeppel) Loesch; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Eagle Grove, Iowa; Egypt Mills, Joplin, Perryville, Mo.; Murphysboro, Ill.; Lincoln, Neb. Retired 1999. Preceded in death by his wife Carol (Davis) Loesch. Survivors: son: Steven; daughters: Angela Pfeil, Maria Wilken. Funeral and Interment: April 12, 2023, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
MEYER, DONALD GIBSON REV., July 19, 1931, Cambridge, Md., to May 8, 2023, Allentown, Pa.; son of August and Bessie (Windsor) Meyer; graduated Springfield Seminary 1965. Served 1965-1980; 1984-1994; 1995-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Devil’s Lake, Lakota, N.D.; Persia, Iowa; Hoisington, Kan.; Cabot, Butler, Pa.; Toledo, Ohio, Seaford, Del. Retired 2001. Preceded in death by his wife Norma (Merrick) Meyer. Survivors: son: Donald; daughters: Deborah, Julie Thode. Funeral: May 20, 2023, Seaford, Del.; Interment: May 20, 2023, E. New Market, Md.
ROEHRS, ROLAND HENRY REV., Aug. 25, 1928, Egeland, N.D., to April 2, 2023, Ellenton, Fla.; son of Rev. Gerhard and Marie (Fox) Roehrs; graduated Springfield Seminary 1954. Served 1955-1990. Ministries/Parishes: Indianapolis, Jonesville, Ind.; Dent, Minn.; Senora, Pasadena, Calif.; Granton, Chili, Luxemburg, Wis.; LaGrange, Ky. Retired 1990. Preceded in death by his children Laura, Mary, and Mark. Survivors: Jean (Miller) Roehrs; son: John; daughter: Rebekah. Funeral: April 15, 2023, Parish, Fla.
SPALTEHOLZ, HANS G. R. REV. DR., Nov. 26, 1930, Buffalo, N.Y., to April 21, 2023, Lake Oswego, Ore.; son of Rudolf and Eleonora (Stroh) Spalteholz; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1956-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Portland, Ore. Retired 1998. Survivor: Christa (Oltmann) Spalteholz. Funeral: May 13, 2023, Portland, Ore.; Interment: May 13, 2023, Lake Oswego, Ore.
SPIRA, PAUL JEROME REV., Oct. 8, 1960, Sheboygan, Wis., to Dec. 14, 2022, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Glenn and Sylvia (Guenther) Spira; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2008. Served 2008-2020. Ministry/Parish: Ft. Wayne, Ind. Retired 2020. Survivors: Caryl (Roggentin) Spira; son: Rev. Ethan; daughter: Elizabeth Hoham. Funeral: Dec. 22, 2022; Ft. Wayne, Ind. Memorial Service: April 22, 2023, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
STREUFERT, VICTOR B. REV. DR., Oct. 1, 1926, Annandale, Minn., to March 24, 2023, Lindsborg, Kan.; son of Rev. Alfred and Lydia (Brauer) Streufert; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1957-1991. Ministries/Parishes: River Forest, Chicago, Ill.; Lindsborg, Kan.; Seward, Neb. Retired 1991. Survivors: Carolyn (Schmidt) Streufert; sons: Peter, Stephen; daughters: Jean, Ann. Funeral: April 1, 2023, Salina, Kan.; Interment: April 1, 2023, Lindsborg, Kan.
WENGER, TIMOTHY E. REV. DR., Feb. 1, 1944, Enshih, China, to March 29, 2023, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; son of Gilbert and Elsie (Harms) Wenger; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1970. Served 1971-2023. Ministry/Parish: Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. Survivors: Kathleen (Kuecker) Wenger; sons: Rev. Eric, Christopher; daughters: Elisa Smith, Angela Kann. Funeral: April 5, 2023, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; Interment: King, Wis.
WILDERMUTH, DARYL C. REV., July 14, 1932, Burns, Ore., to March 22, 2023, Puyallup, Wash.; son of Rev. Clarence and Helen Wildermuth; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1960-2000. Ministries/Parishes: San Bernardino, Highland, Calif.; Tacoma, Wash. Northwest District Circuit Visitor 1990-1991 Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife Maridee (Knuth) Wildermuth. Survivors: son: Daniel; daughters: Joan Crawford; Laura Rafal. Celebration of Life: March 28, 2023, Tacoma, Wash.
WIND, ROBERT H. REV., July 23, 1926, Buffalo, N.Y., to March 22, 2023, N. Chesterfield, Va.; son of Rev. Henry and Ella Wind; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1951. Served 1951-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Brooklyn, N.Y.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Norfolk, Richmond, Va. Retired 1992. Survivors: Shirley (Powell) Wind; sons: Paul, Michael, Robert Jr., Stephen, Brian; daughters: Diane, Denise, Amy. Funeral: March 27, 2023, Richmond, Va.
ZIEGLER, ROBERT M. REV., April 14, 1934, Vesta, Neb., to April 2, 2023, Atchison, Kan.; son of Robert Sr. and Esther (Jobst) Ziegler; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-2023. Ministries/Parishes: Claflin, Atchison, Kan. Kansas District Circuit Visitor 1993-1994. Preceded in death by his wife Esther (Johnson) and daughter Angela Williams. Survivors: Charlotte (Pinnt) Teushcer Ziegler; son: Andrew; daughters: Ann Compton, Allison Arends. Funeral: April 11, 2023, Atchison, Kan.; Interment: April 11, 2023, Vesta, Neb.
COMMISSIONED
CHRISTIAN, ROBERT EUGENE, Dec. 13, 1927, Summit, Ill., to March 27, 2023, Seattle, Wash.; graduated River Forest 1949. Served 1949-1994. Schools/Ministries: Bronx, N.Y.; Hong Kong; Seattle, Wash. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Arleen Christian. Survivors: son: David; daughters: Ann, Rebecca Sandell, Lois Erickson, Julie. Memorial Service: April 22, 2023, Seattle, Wash.
DYSLIN, ELAINE CAROL (SCHAMBER), Oct. 30, 1940, Freeman, S.D., to March 25, 2023, Wheat Ridge, Colo.; daughter of Erwin and Carrie (Ellwein) Schamber; graduated Seward 1962. Served 1999-2007. School/Ministry: Broomfield, Colo. Retired 2007. Survivors: Larry Dyslin; son: Mark; daughters: Stephanie Martin, Jennifer Salvatore. Memorial Service: March 31, 2023, Wheat Ridge, Colo.
HECKMAN, ROBERT G., June 9, 1934, Madelia, Minn., to March 13, 2023, Bradbury, Calif.; graduated Seward 1959. Served 1955-1996. Schools/Ministries: Truman, Minn.; Oxnard, Alhambra, Montebello, Temple City, Calif. Retired 1996. Survivors: Shirley (Knobloch) Heckman; daughters: Karla, Kathy. Memorial Service: April 22, 2023, Bradbury, Calif.
HERBST, H. ALLEN, Oct. 4, 1937, Hammond, Ind., to March 25, 2023, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Henry and Marie (Schmueser) Herbst; graduated River Forest 1959. Served 1961-1999. Schools/Ministries: Lafayette, Ind.; Springfield, Ill.; Englewood, Colo. Retired 1999. Preceded in death by his wife Judith (Lang) Herbst. Survivors: daughters: Lori, Lisa, Kathy. Funeral and Interment: April 1, 2023, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
ROESKE, KARL FREDERICK, Feb. 15, 1962, Milwaukee, Wis., to April 27, 2023, Cedarburg, Wis.; son of Edwin and Patsy Roeske; graduated Mequon 1983. Served 1983-2023. Schools/Ministries: Luxemburg, Cedarburg, Wis.; Milford Ctr., Ohio. Survivors: Robin (Rathke) Roeske; sons: Andy, Tom; daughters: Kirin Eggebrecht, Erin. Memorial Service: May 3, 2023, Cedarburg, Wis.
WHITNEY, NANCY R. (ZIERMANN), Chicago, Ill., Nov. 9, 1945, to Feb. 22, 2023, Oviedo, Fla.; daughter of Adolf and Ruth Ziermann; graduated River Forest 1967. Served 1975-2003. Schools/Ministries: Milwaukee, Racine, Wis.; Oak Creek, Oviedo, Fla. Retired 2003. Survivor: Roger Whitney. Funeral and Interment: March 2, 2023, Oviedo, Fla.
WOOD, PAULA LORRAINE (KUEHNERT); May 28, 1957, St. Louis, Mo., to May 8, 2023, Metairie, La.; daughter of Rev. Dr. Richard and Lorraine (Raffenbeul) Kuehnert; graduated Seward 1979. Served 1979-2023. Schools/Ministries: Metairie, New Orleans, La.; Danbury, Conn. Survivors: son: Jason; daughter: Jessica Franks. Funeral: May 15, 2023, New Orleans, La.; Interment: May 15, 2023.
YELDEN, SUSAN IRENE, Oct. 21, 1952, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, to May 7, 2023, St. Johns, Mich.; daughter of John and Estella (Kaufman) Yelden; graduated Seward 1973. Served 1974-2008. Schools/Ministries: Drayton Valley, Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada; St. John, Mich. Retired 2013. Funeral and Interment: May 13, 2023, St. Johns, Mich.
YOUNGHOUSE, MICHAEL EDGAR, March 8, 1953, Pittsburgh, Pa., to Dec. 28, 2022, Newton, N.C.; son of Robert and Evelyn Younghouse; graduated River Forest 1975. Served 1975-1992. Schools/Ministries: Melrose Park, Ill.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Hickory, N.C. Retired 2022. Preceded in death by his wife Janet Younghouse. Survivors: sons: Scott, Kurt, Brad. Memorial Service: Jan. 2, 2023, Hickory, N.C.
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