IN MEMORIAM (June/July 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
AMES, RICHARD WILLIAM REV., Nov. 5, 1929, Milwaukee, Wis., to Dec. 17, 2022, Hot Springs Village, Ark.; son of Alexander and Adina (Reinke) Ames; graduated Springfield Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1977; 1978-1988; 1991-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Stanley, Driscoll, Mandan, Jamestown, N.D.; Racine, Wis.; North Dakota District Circuit Visitor. Retired 1992. Preceded in death by his wife Elaine (Hoffman) Ames. Survivors: sons: Richard, Jonathan; daughters: LuAnn MacDaniel, Melinda Roberts. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 6, 2023, Hot Springs Village, Ark.
ANDRAE, HANS OLOF REV., June 24, 1933, Vimmerby, Sweden, to Feb. 13, 2023, Jeannette, Pa.; son of Rev. Anders and Vanja (Johansson) Andrae; Colloquy 2008. Joined LCMS as Emeritus 2008. Survivors: Sylvia (Irvine) Andrae; son: Rev. Eric; daughters: Rebecka Irwin, Christina. Funeral: Feb. 18, 2023, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Interment: Feb. 18, 2023, Jeannette, Pa.
ASCHER, GEORGE PATRICK REV. DR., Dec. 11, 1929, Seattle, Wash., to Dec. 31, 2022, Clifton, Texas; son of Alfred and Fayedella (McDonald) Ascher; graduated Springfield Seminary 1971. Served 1971-1994; 1999-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Wilson, Post, Tomball, Brownwood, Waco, Mineral Wells, Texas; Gering, Neb.; Orange, Calif. Texas District Circuit Visitor 1991-1996. Retired 2001. Survivors: Ruth (Orr) Ascher; sons: Phillip, James, Paul; daughters: Janice, Carol. Memorial Service: Jan. 6, 2023, Clifton, Texas.
BECK, HUBERT FREDERICK REV., July 21, 1931, DuQuoin, Ill., to Jan. 27, 2023, Austin, Texas; son of Louis and Martina (Dierks) Beck; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Topeka, Charleston, Des Plaines, Ill.; College Station, Texas; Durham, N.C. Retired 1996. Survivors: Judith (Eifert) Beck; son: John; daughters: Kathleen Egbert, Cynthia Ferrara, Mary. Funeral: Feb. 11, 2023, Austin, Texas; cremation.
BINGENHEIMER, ROY WILLIAM REV., June 30, 1933, Oak Ridge, Mo., to Jan. 17, 2023, Warrensburg, Mo.; son of William and Clara (Ochs) Bingenheimer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Wathena, Lincoln, Kan.; Waldenburg, Prairie Grove, Ark.; Leon, Iowa; Peculiar, Cassville, Mo. Retired 2004. Preceded in death by his wife Doris (Lohmann) Bingenheimer. Survivors: son: Rev. Dr. Michael; daughters: Lucinda Mehl, Kathleen Ohlman, Jerilyn Schwaller. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 23, 2023, Concordia, Mo.
BOECLER, PAUL ANDREW OTTO REV., Nov. 23, 1931, Dearborn, Mich., to Dec. 15, 2022, Grand Rapids, Mich.; son of Rev. Paul and Anne (Bruckner) Boecler; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-2000. Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Mo.; Milford, Ohio; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Bronxville, N.Y. Retired 2000. Survivors: Gertraud; son: Gerhardt; daughter: Andrea. Funeral: Jan. 7, 2023, Grand Rapids, Mich.
BOLLAND, RICHARD ANTON REV., Dec. 6, 1946, Fowler, Calif., to March 8, 2023, Pagosa Springs, Colo.; son of Warren and Marian Bolland; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1986. Served 1986-2011; 2012-2014. Ministries/Parishes: St. Ignatius, Mont.; Marshall, Kansas City, Mo.; Tucson, Ariz.; Pagosa Springs, Greeley, Colo. Retired 2014. Survivors: Linda (Robie) Bolland; daughter: Ericka Walmsley. Funeral: April 1, 2023, Pagosa Springs, Colo.
CHAMBERS, DANNY ELLIS REV., July 18, 1966, Cleburne, Texas, to Feb. 24, 2023, Kingsbury, Texas; son of Holly and Mamie (Marriott) Chambers; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2007. Served 2007-2012; 2015-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Manito, Ill.; Kingsbury, Texas. Survivors: son: Andrew; daughter: Delani. Funeral: March 3, 2023, New Braunfels, Texas; Interment: March 3, 2023, Kingsbury, Texas.
ELSNER, JAMES LORRAY REV., Nov. 8, 1951, Elgin, Ill., to Jan. 11, 2023, Kendallville, Ind.; son of Lorray and Ruth (Nesler) Elsner; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2001. Served: 2002-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Stroh, Ind. English District Circuit Visitor 2013-2015. Retired 2018. Survivors: Elaine (Schroeder) Elsner; son: Stephen. Funeral: Jan. 18, 2023, Fremont, Ind.; Interment: Jan. 18, 2023, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
FRANCIS, RONALD R. REV. DR., May 17, 1941, Staten Island, N.Y., to Feb. 10, 2023, New Haven, Ind.; son of Walter and Marjorie (Day) Francis; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1984. Served: 1984-2005. Ministry/Parish: New Haven, Ind. Indiana District Circuit Visitor 1995-1999. Survivors: Marilyn (Pischinger) Francis; son: Jonathan. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 18, 2023; Ft. Wayne, Ind.
GEITZ, DARREL W. REV., Oct. 31, 1930, Latimer, Iowa, to Jan. 19, 2023, Seymour, Ind.; son of Phillip and Mary (Dreyer) Geitz; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Latimer, Iowa; Cheshire, Conn.; Evansville, Seymour, Ind.; Shepherdsville, Ky. Indiana District Circuit Visitor 1990-1994. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by his wife Anita (Parker) Geitz. Survivors: son: Timothy; daughters: Melanie Graul, Rebecca Smith, Kristen, Steward. Funeral: Jan. 24, 2023, Seymour, Ind.; Interment: Jan. 24, 2023.
HADLEY, TOM CARL REV., June 23, 1951, Wellington, Kan., to Feb. 12, 2023, Campbell, Texas; son of Ralph and Ruby (Poovey) Hadley; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1977. Served 1977-1981; 1990-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Batesville, Ark.; Greenville, Morristown, Tenn.; Houston, Rowlett, Texas. Retired 2015. Survivors: Cynthia (Hingst) Hadley; son: Joshua; daughter: Jennifer Hotopp. Memorial Service: Feb. 20, 2023, Garland, Texas.
HAMER, JOHN H. REV., June 12, 1944, Chicago, Ill., to Jan. 4, 2023, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Clarence and Eva Hamer; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1982. Served 1982-2010. Ministry/Parish: Ft. Wayne, Ind. Retired 2010. Survivors: Gloria (Johnson) Hamer; son: Rev. Brian; daughter: Amy. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 9, 2023, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
HANSEN, KENNETH ERNEST LOUIS REV., Nov. 5, 1936, Chicago, Ill., to April 23, 2022, Lindenhurst, Ill.; son of Kenneth and Anne (Bartels) Hansen; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1965-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Huntington Station, St. James, N.Y. Retired 2001. Survivors: Carol (Newby) Hansen; son: Christopher; daughters: Andrea Magri, Kristin Copson. Funeral: April 30, 2022, Grayslake, Ill.
HAYAS, DONALD MARTIN REV., Nov. 20, 1938, Bethlehem, Pa., to Feb. 10, 2023, Westlake, Ohio; son of Martin and Mary (Fabricius) Hayas; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970. Served 1970-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Braddock, Pa.; Timmins, Ontario, Canada; Lakewood, Ohio. SELC District Circuit Visitor 1986-1998. Retired 2004. Preceded in death by his wives Joan (Sabo) Hayas and Ruth (Janosik) Hayas. Survivors: daughters: Susan Murawski, Deborah Albrecht, Rebecca Goecker, Sarah Trent. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 18, 2023, Lakewood, Ohio.
HEUER, DANIEL E. REV., Nov. 18, 1956, Glencoe, Minn., to Dec. 2, 2022, Fremont, Neb.; son of Leonard and Myra (Bentz) Heuer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1993. Served 1993-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Davenport, Kearney, Hastings, Fremont, Neb. Survivors: Deborah (Schaefer) Heuer; sons: Aaron, John; daughters: Sarah Sankey, Rebekah Amereller. Funeral: Dec. 5, 2022, Fremont, Neb.; Interment: Fremont, Neb.
HOYER, PAUL MARTIN REV., Nov. 8, 1954, Ft. Ord, Calif., to Dec. 29, 2022, Lake Mary, Fla.; son of Rev. Martin and Hazel (Story) Hoyer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1980. Served 1980-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Linkville, Mich.; Lake Mary, Fla. Retired 2021. Survivors: Betty (Mueller) Hoyer; sons: Benjamin, Jacob; daughters: Sara Russell, Meredith Schott. Funeral: Jan. 13, 2023, Lake Mary, Fla.
JOHNSON, WILLIAM A. REV., Oct. 18, 1929, Scottsbluff, Neb., to Dec. 22, 2022, San Antonio, Texas; son of Rev. Albert and Estella (Steeve) Johnson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Amarillo, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Texas. Texas District Circuit Visitor 1960; 1976-1982; 2012-2015. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Emily (Renken) Johnson. Survivors: sons: Ross, Keith; daughters: Ramona, Anita. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 6, 2023, San Antonio, Texas.
KELLER, WILLIAM H. REV., Jan. 30, 1944, Brooklyn N.Y., to Dec. 12, 2022, Greeley, Colo.; son of Ernest and Ethel (McBride) Keller; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1969. Served 1969-2008. Ministries/Parishes: Chelsea, Mich.; Omaha, Neb.; Greeley, Colo. Retired 2008. Preceded in death by his son Jeffrey. Survivors: Karen (Toven) Keller; son: Timothy; daughter: Kristin Deicke. Memorial Service: Dec. 22, 2022, Ft. Collins, Colo.
KETEMA, TEKLU TELILA REV., June 28, 1974, Dekabora Goglae, Ethiopia, to Feb. 4, 2023, Annapolis, Md.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2020. Served 2020-2023. Ministry/Parish: Gambrills, Md. Survivors: Tsion (Endalkachew) Ketema; son: Jonah; daughter: Selah. Memorial Service: Feb. 9, 2023, Gambrills, Md.; Interment: Feb. 2, 2023, Davidsonville, Md.
LARSON, RAYMOND EVERET SR. REV., Oct. 27, 1942, Glendale, Calif., to Dec. 24, 2022, Missoula, Mont.; son of Cecil and Dorothy (Traynor) Larson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-2007. Ministries/Parishes: Boyceville, Wis.; Stevensville, Mont. Montana District Circuit Visitor 2005-2022. Retired 2007. Survivors: Rosanne (Amundsen) Larson; sons: Raymond Jr., Christopher; daughters: Danette Monoary, Sonja Thoebald, Rosemarie Hinerfeld, Anna Kernes. Funeral: Jan. 4, 2023, Stevensville, Mont.; Interment: Jan. 4, 2023, Hamilton, Mont.
LEIDER, JON F. REV., Sept. 11, 1944, Manitowoc, Wis., to Jan. 23, 2023, Milwaukee, Wis.; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1981. Served 1981-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Union City, Mich.; Milwaukee, Wis. Retired 2006. Survivors: Lynn (Anderson) Leider; sons: Jeffrey, Erick; daughter: Lisa Rupe. Funeral: Jan. 27, 2023, Sussex, Wis.; Interment: Jan 27, 2023; Brookfield Wis.
LOZA, JULIO A. REV., Sept. 5, 1936, La Paz, Bolivia, to Dec. 28, 2022, Streamwood, Ill.; son of Manuel and Maria (Silva) Loza; graduated St. Paul Seminary 1969. Served 1980-2016. Ministry/Parish: Chicago, Ill. Retired 2016. Survivors: Janice (Larson) Loza; sons: Anthony, Kevin, Rev. Erik. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 7, 2023, Minooka, Ill.
MAZEMKE, VILLAS ERVIN REV., Aug. 16, 1941, Weyauwega, Wis., to Jan. 27, 2023, Larrabee, Wis.; son of Ervin and Lucille (Koehler) Mazemke; graduated Springfield Seminary 1969. Served 1969-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Cerritos, Calif.; Vancouver, Wash.; Clintonville, Wis. Retired 2004. Survivors: Connie (Johnson) Mazemke; son: Eric; daughter: Christal Buch. Funeral: Feb. 9, 2023, Clintonville, Wis.; Interment: Feb. 9, 2023, Little Wolf, Wis.
MEYER, DAVID PAUL REV. DR., May 24, 1937, Spirit Lake, Iowa, to Nov. 23, 2022, Seaward, Neb.; son of Bernhardt and Mattie (Thomson) Meyer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1963. Served: 1963-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Mt. Vernon, Iowa; Seward, Neb. Retired 2011. Survivors: Judith (Poellot) Meyer; sons: David, Andrew, Thaddeus, Jeremy. Funeral and Interment: Dec. 1, 2022, Seward, Neb.
MEYER, RICHARD H. REV. DR., Nov. 22, 1922, Cullman, Ala., to Jan. 7, 2023, Northampton, Mass.; son of Rev. Henry and Lydia (Roehrs) Meyer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1947. Served 1947-1994. Ministries/Parishes: China; Japan; New Orleans, La. Southern District President 1978-1988. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Lois (Kuehnert) Meyer, son Mark Meyer, and daughter Katherine Shepherd. Survivors: son: Kurt; daughters: Rebecca Schaefer, Naomi Woodward, Deborah. Funeral: March 4, 2023, New Orleans, La.; Interment: Ashfield, Mass.
MUELLER, HENRY CHARLES IV REV., Feb. 23, 1935, River Sioux, Iowa, to Dec. 30, 2022, Northfield, Minn.; son of Rev. Henry III and Lauretta (Gosch) Mueller; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1982. Ministries/Parishes: Wisner, Stanton, Neb.; Watertown, Whitehall, St. Cloud, Minn. Retired 2000. Survivors: Jean (Krueger) Mueller; daughters: Miriam, Mary Beth, Julia Dohl, Amy Benson. Celebration of Life: Jan. 13, 2023, Northfield, Minn.
PELTO, JOSEPH ARTHUR REV., April 13, 1951, Minneapolis, Minn., to March 11, 2023, Texas City, Texas; son of George and Singe Pelto; SMP Colloquy 2018. Served 2018-2020. Ministry/Parish: Laredo, Texas. Retired 2020. Survivors: Erna (Naumann) Pelto; son: Joseph; daughters: Anja Norris, Diana Miles, Miriam Alviza. Funeral: March 20, 2023, Texas City, Texas; Interment: March 20, 2023, Houston, Texas.
REICHEL, HAROLD GENE REV., July 31, 1938, Shawano, Wis., to Dec. 3, 2022, Macungie, Pa.; son of Harold and Henrietta (Koeller) Reichel; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1964-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Aliceville, Burlington, Kans.; Tunkhannock, York, Columbia, Pa.; Elma, N.Y. Retired 2003. Survivors: Patricia (Richl) Reichel; daughters: Jeannette Haras, Julia Hertz, Michelle Graybill, Mary Jo Haney. Funeral: Dec. 9, 2022, Macungie, Pa.; Interment: Dec. 9, 2022, Allentown, Pa.
RISTVEDT, NATHAN PAUL REV., Feb. 11, 1963, Springfield, Ill., to Feb. 13, 2023, Milford, Neb.; son of Rev. James and Betty (Knobloch) Ristvedt; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1992. Served 1993-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Villard, Grove Lake, Minn.; Crete, Neb. Retired 2021. Survivors: Nellie (Cook) Ristvedt; sons: Joel, Caleb; daughters: Naomi, Tabitha. Funeral: Feb. 17, 2023, Seward, Neb.
RITTER, RONALD AIRES REV., Sept. 7, 1938, Baltimore, Md., to Feb. 22, 2023, Fallbrook, Calif.; son of John and Viola Ritter; graduated Springfield Seminary 1970. Served 1970-1995; 2010-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Belding, Mich.; Fallbrook, Hemet, Calif.; U.S. Air Force Chaplain. Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his son Steven Ritter. Survivors: Judith (Orendorff) Ritter; sons: John, Timothy; daughter: Elizabeth Schwartze. Funeral and Interment: March 11, 2023, Fallbrook, Calif.
RYDING, JOHN AUGUST REV., May 7, 1951, Nipawin, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Nov. 22, 2022, Hillsboro, Kan.; son of Rev. Donald and Elizabeth (Buskist) Ryding; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1977. Served 1977-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Spencer, Butte, Lynch, O’Neill, Neb.; Hillsboro, Marion, Kan. Kansas District Circuit Visitor 1992; Nebraska District Circuit Visitor 2008-2019. Retired 2015. Survivors: Kathryn (Petersen) Ryding; daughters: Rebecca, Jennie Doty, Anne Duda. Memorial Services: Dec. 3, 2022, Hillsboro, Kan.; Dec. 10, 2022, O’Neill, Neb.
RYNEARSON, STEPHEN P. REV., July 12, 1961, Spokane, Wash., to Dec. 15, 2022, Waco, Texas; son of Rev. Rodney and Rhonda (Ryan) Rynearson; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1987. Served 1987-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Aransas Pass, Hewitt, Texas. Texas District Circuit Visitor 2003-2015. Retired 2022. Survivors: Linda (Minnie) Rynearson; sons: Joshua, Andrew, Nathaniel. Funeral: Dec. 12, 2022, Hewitt, Texas; Interment: Dec. 12, 2022, Waco, Texas.
SCHECK, JOHN F. III REV., Sept. 7, 1930, Milwaukee, Wis., to Dec. 24, 2022, Salem Ore.; son of John II and Edna (Kunde) Scheck; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1994. Ministry/Parish: Portland, Ore. Retired 1994. Survivors: Marianne (Schmidt) Scheck; sons: John, Jay; daughter: Jennifer; stepchildren: Paul Marth, Gloria Marth, Natalie Osburn, Peter Marth. Funeral: Jan. 7, 2023, Salem, Ore.
SCHNEIDER, DUWAYNE R. REV., July 29, 1938, Sheboygan, Wis., to Jan. 21, 2023, Park Falls, Wis.; son of Lester and Ida (Bornowski) Schneider; graduated Springfield Seminary 1965. Served 1965-1968; 1970-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Brimfield, Ill.; Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada; Boyceville, Colby, Land O’Lakes, Cable, Turtle Lake, Clayton, Wis.; Fergus Falls, Minn. Retired 2006. Funeral: Feb. 4, 2023, Phillips, Wis.; Interment: Edgar, Wis.
STEINKE, PAUL DAVID REV., May 24, 1936, Glen Cove, N.Y., to March 7, 2023, Niantic, Conn.; son of Rev. Arthur and Marguerite (Frankel) Steinke; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1961-1971; 1974-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Sylvan Beach, New York, N.Y.; Southington, Conn.; Roanoke, Va. Retired 2016. Survivors: Ann (Williams) Steinke; sons: David, Jonathan; daughter: Dancey Jones. Funeral: April 22, 2023, New York, N.Y.
STEVENSON, WILLIAM EDWARD REV., April 21, 1938, Farmington, Mo., to Jan. 10, 2023, Dyersburg, Tenn.; son of Herbert and Jeanetta (Harrington) Stevenson; graduated SMP St. Louis 2012. Served 2012-2018. Ministry/Parish: Dyersburg, Tenn. Retired 2018. Survivors: Ramona Stevenson; daughters: Marjorie Welch, Gretchen Campbell. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 14, 2023, Dyersburg, Tenn.
STOHS, MILTON EDWARD REV., July 27, 1929, Shobonier, Ill., to Dec. 12, 2022, St. Charles, Mo.; son of George and Lorina Stohs; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953. Served 1953-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Cocoa Beach, Fla.; Gadsden, Ala.; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 1994. Survivors: Carol (Weis) Stohs; son: Stephen; daughters: Carolyn, Miriam, Jennifer. Funeral: Dec. 28, 2022; cremation.
STOLP, ARMIN F. REV., March 11, 1930, Greenleaf, Kans., to March 14, 2023, Canon City, Colo.; son of Rev. Theo and Lisette (Von Lene) Stolp; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1957-1986; 1988-1992; 1993-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Westcliffe, Ft. Lupton, Hudson, Monte Vista, Colo.; Shelton, Lowell, Neb.; Hunter, Kans.; Grant, N.M. Retired 2004. Survivors: Arlene Stolp; sons: Allen, Alex, Albert. Funeral March 23, 2023, Canon City, Colo.
VOITKO, PAUL A. REV., July 17, 1926, Ft. Wayne, Ind., to Jan. 24, 2023, Pt. Pleasant, N.J.; son of Rev. John and Mary (Vercimak) Voitko; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1951. Served 1951-1991. Ministry/Parish: Pt. Pleasant, N.J. Retired 1991. Survivors: sons: Jonathan, Paul, Stephen; daughter: Judith. Funeral: Jan. 28, 2023, Pt. Pleasant, N.J.; Interment: Jan. 28, 2023, Brielle, N.J.
WEIGE, JOHN WILLIS REV., Aug. 7, 1946, Red Bud, Ill., to March 11, 2023, Hackettstown, N.J.; son of Harold and Adele Weige; graduated Springfield Seminary 1972. Served 1972-2015. Ministries/Parishes: Columbia, Pa.; Danbury, Conn.; Park Forest, Ill.; Hudson, Ohio; Blairstown, N.J. Retired 2015. Survivors: Susan (Sandman) Weige; son: Joshua; daughter: Mary Eng. Funeral: March 18, 2023, Astoria, N.Y.
WESTERLUND, PAUL LAWRENCE REV., Sept. 16, 1938, Minneapolis, Minn., to Jan. 21, 2023, Hopkins, Minn.; son of Lawrence and Sophie (Soine) Westerlund; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1973. Served 1973-1977; 1980-1984. Ministries/Parishes: Sebastopol, Calif.; Flagler, Arriba, Colo.; Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, Nev. Retired 1994. Funeral: Jan. 27, 2023, Richfield, Minn.; Interment: Jan. 27, 2023, N. Memphis, Minn.
WILLIAMS, HERMAN JOSEPH REV., Sept. 2, 1937, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Dec. 24, 2022, Moses Lake, Wash.; son of Herman and Catherine (Stewart) Williams; Colloquy 1984. Served 1985-1999; 2000-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Lakeview, McMinnville, Ore.; Chehalis, Wash. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by his wife Gina Williams. Survivor: Carol (Brunner-Falk) Williams. Funeral: Jan. 7, 2023, Wenatchee, Wash.
COMMISSIONED
BERGANT, VIRGINIA ANN (ALBERS), Feb. 8, 1944, Lakewood, Ohio, to Feb. 3, 2023, Saginaw, Mich.; daughter of Norman and Helen (Krone) Albers; graduated River Forest 1965. Served 1974-2010. School/Ministry: Saginaw, Mich. Retired 2010. Preceded in death by her husband David Bergant. Survivor: daughter: Melissa. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 18, 2023, Saginaw, Mich.
CROUCHER, HEATHER LOUISE (REQUE), March 6, 1979, Kansas City, Mo., to March 8, 2023, Raymore, Mo.; daughter of Carl and Sharon (Grother) Reque; graduated Seward 2004. Served 2004-2012; 2017-2023. Schools/Ministries: Edwardsville, Ill.; Olathe, Overland Park, Kans.; Royalton, Ohio; Kansas City, Mo. Survivors: Rev. Mark Croucher II; son: Zeke. Funeral and Interment: March 14, 2023, Raymore, Mo.
DENZLER, DOUGLAS MICHAEL, July 25, 1972, Marshalltown, Iowa, to Aug. 3, 2022, Burnsville, Minn.; son of Don and Karen (Powers) Denzler; graduated Seward 1995. Served 1995-2000. Schools/Ministries: Clarinda, Iowa; Boise, Idaho; Waconia, Minn. Survivor: son: Jacob. Funeral: Aug. 9, 2022, Marshalltown, Iowa; Interment: Aug. 9, 2022, Marengo, Iowa.
GNEWUCH, MINNIE MATHILDA (WEEKE), Nov. 25, 1934, Morrison, Mo., to Jan. 20, 2023, Elmhurst, Ill.; daughter of Theodore and Eva (Johnson) Weeke; graduated River Forest 1995. Served 1995-2001. School/Ministry: Forest Park, Ill. Retired 2001. Preceded in death by her husband Rev. Dr. Donald Gnewuch. Survivors: son: Rev. Carl; daughters: Katherine Roberson, Rebecca Boyer, Deborah Gher, Sarah Ruberry. Funeral: Jan. 28, 2023, River Forest, Ill.; Interment: Jan. 28, 2023, Forest Park, Ill.
SPIELER, GARY ALBERT, Dec. 10, 1948, St. Louis, Mo., to Feb. 13, 2023, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; son of Fred and Margaret (Schwarz) Spieler; graduated Seward 1971. Served 1971-2014. Schools/Ministries: Victor, Iowa; Olivette, Kirkwood, St. Louis Mo.; Dallas, El Paso, Ft. Worth, McAllen, Texas; Denver, Colo.; Belleville, Ill. Retired 2014. Survivors: Cathy (Dawes) Spieler; sons: Matthew, Nathan, Andrew; daughter: Gretchen. Funeral: Feb. 25, 2023, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Interment: Feb. 26, 2023, Dorsey, Ill.
THUNDER-HAAB, KETURAH A., Nov. 14, 1937, Marshall, Mich., to March 16, 2023, Ann Arbor, Mich.; daughter of Carl and Aletha (Beedon) Thunder; graduated River Forest 1959. Served 1974-1993. School/Ministry: Ann Arbor, Mich. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by her husband Oscar Haab. Funeral and Interment: March 25, 2023, Ann Arbor, Mich.
WITTIG, RAYMON LEIGH, Aug 2, 1933, to Sept. 22, 2022, Corona, Calif.; graduated Seward 1955. Served 1955-1996. Schools/Ministries: Alma, Mo.; Rockport, N.Y.; Rocky River, Ohio; Denver, Colo.; San Diego, Corona, Calif. Retired 1996.
ZEITZ, ALLAN ARNOLD, Oct. 10, 1945, Fairmont, Minn., to Jan. 16, 2023, Rochester, Minn.; son of Arnold and Lorena (Haes) Zeitz; graduated Seward 1968. Served 1968-2014. School/Ministry: Norfolk, Neb. Retired 2014. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 28, 2023, Fairmont, Minn.
