IN MEMORIAM (April 2024)
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
BECKMANN, WILLIAM CARL JR. REV., March 30, 1934, Queens Village, N.Y., to Jan. 14, 2024, Ala.; son of William Sr. and Dorothy (Wallendorf) Beckmann; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Chicago, Elk Grove Village, St. Charles, Batavia, Ill.; Ft. Wayne, Monroeville, Ind. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wife Beverly (Bublitz) Beckmann. Survivors: Gail (Newby) Beckmann; sons: Peter, Mark; stepson: Ken; stepdaughter: Laura. Funeral: Jan. 29, 2024, Batavia, Ill.
BODLEY, ARTHUR L. REV., Nov. 28, 1934, Camden, Ala., to Aug. 16, 2023, Pensacola, Fla.; son of Simon and Bella (Ethridge) Bodley; graduated Selma Seminary 1961. Served 1961-1995. Parishes/Ministries: Gadsden, Ashville, Ala.; Chicago, Ill. Retired 1996. Preceded in death by his wife Barabara (Hardley) Bodley. Survivors: sons: Rev. Christopher, Derek. Funeral: Aug. 25, 2023, Pensacola, Fla.; Interment: Pensacola, Fla.
CHRISTIANSEN, ERIC MICHAEL REV., Nov. 14, 1949, Long Beach, Calif., to Jan. 10, 2024, Libby, Mont.; son of Milton and Cloughie (Brown) Christiansen; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1991. Served 1991-2010. Ministries/Parishes: Arapahoe, Wyo.; Rolla, N.D.; Libby, Mont. Retired 2010. Survivors: Patricia (Thorpe) Christiansen; daughters: Erin Schmitt, Megan Stephens. Memorial Service: Jan. 20, 2024, Libby, Mont.
DAVIDENAS, EUGENE DAVID REV., June 4, 1942, Hammond, Ind., to Dec. 21, 2023, Jackson, Calif.; son of David and Sylvia (Rogers) Davidenas; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1976-2020. Ministries/Parishes: Philippines; Nashville, Troy, Ill.; Hilo, Hawaii; Livermore, Jackson, Valley Springs, Calif. Retired 2020. Preceded in death by his daughter Katherine Davidenas. Survivors: Reta (Benninghoff) Davidenas; sons: Christopher, Daniel, Peter, Jonathan; daughters: Jennifer Davis, Christina Tyson. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 8, 2024, Jackson, Calif.
EIWEN, JOHN GEORGE REV., Nov. 6, 1942, New York City, N.Y., to Dec. 31, 2023, Tallmadge, Ohio; son of Edward and Martha Eiwen; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1968. Served 1969-2009; 2012-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Akron, Ohio. Retired 2013. Survivors: Patricia (Huge) Eiwen; son: Mark; daughters: Rebecca, Joanna. Funeral: Jan. 8, 2024, Akron, Ohio; Interment: Akron, Ohio.
FICK, BURNEAL W. A. REV., Sept. 28, 1939, Chicago, Ill., to Oct. 6, 2023, Sandwich, Ill.; son of Albert and Lydia (Harks) Fick; graduated Springfield Seminary 1973. Served 1973-2005. Ministries/Parishes: Arnold, Mo.; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Aurora, Ill. Retired 2005. Preceded in death by his wife Jean (Leicken) Fick and son Darrel Fick. Survivors: son: Burneal; daughters: Mara Springer, Charma, Robbyn Bennett. Funeral: Oct. 14, 2023, Hinckley, Ill.; Interment: Oct. 14, 2023, Sandwich, Ill.
FRITZ, JEFFREY MARTIN REV., Aug. 4, 1942, Detroit, Mich., to Dec. 24, 2023, Roseville, Mich.; son of Joseph and Virginia (Letzring) Fritz; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1968. Served 1968-2008. Ministries/Parishes: Lansing, Ill.; St. Joseph, Roseville, Mich. Retired 2008. Preceded in death by his wife Mary (Mallinckrodt) Fritz. Survivors: sons: Andrew, Jeremy; daughter: Rachel Rotar. Funeral: Jan. 3, 2024, Roseville, Mich.; Interment: Jan. 3, 2024, Clinton Township, Mich.
HEINERT, DANIEL GEORGE REV., Dec. 11, 1941, Kadoka, S.D., to Dec. 19, 2023, Racine, Wis.; son of Daniel and Alma (Ehly) Heinert; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1967. Served 1967-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Janesville, Racine, Wis. Retired 2004. Preceded in death by his wife Barbara (Lulow) Heinert. Survivors: son: James, Joel, Jonathan. Funeral and Interment: Dec. 29, 2023, Racine, Wis.
KNAPPE, WOLF DIETRICH REV. DR., March 30, 1926, Hohegrethe, Germany, to Jan. 9, 2024, Wauwatosa, Wis.; son of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Wilhelm Knappe; colloquy 2014. Joined LCMS as emeritus 2014. Preceded in death by his wife Inga (Korte) Knappe and son Steven Knappe. Survivors: son: Rev. Mark; daughter: Jane. Funeral: Jan. 20, 2024, Sussex, Wis.; Interment: Jan. 22, 2024, River Grove, Ill.
KRETZSCHMAR, DONALD CARL REV., July 30, 1943, Monroe, Mich., to Jan. 9, 2024, Batavia, Ill.; son of Carl and Bernice (Bendel) Kretzschmar; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1969. Served 1985-2024. Ministries/Parishes: Hillside, W. Chicago, Ill. Survivors: Martha (Schreck) Kretzschmar; daughters: Sarah Hamel, Ellen Kohlmeir. Celebration of Life: Feb. 3, 2024, Batavia, Ill.
LITTERER, CHARLES EDWARD, REV., Feb. 25, 1934, Louisville, Ky., to Aug. 22, 2022, Indianapolis, Ind.; son of Oscar and Frieda (Eibisch) Litterer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Gainesville, Ga.; Dunkirk, N.Y.; Henderson, Owensboro, Ky.; Evansville, Ind.; Grafton, Ohio; Elizabethton, Greenville, Tenn.; Retired 1992. Preceded in death by his wife Glyna Litterer. Survivors: Nancy Litterer; son: Thomas: daughter: Catherine. Funeral: Sept. 24, 2022, Indianapolis, Ind.
LUINSTRA, ROBERT FRANCIS REV., Aug. 24, 1945, to Iowa City, Iowa, to Aug. 8, 2023, Bend, Ore.; son of Harold and Dawn (Brandt) Luinstra; graduated Springfield Seminary 1971. Served 1971-2011. Ministries/Parishes: Fargo, N.D.; Manchester, Delaware, Iowa; Billings, Mont.; Spokane, Wash.; Bend, Ore. Montana District Circuit Visitor 1983-1988. Retired 2011. Survivors: Donna (Renquist) Luinstra; son: Michael; daughter: Amy. Celebration of Life and Interment: Aug. 12, 2023, Bend, Ore.
MOELLER, WILLIAM F. SR. REV., Sept. 30, 1934, Chester, Ill., to Dec. 30, 2023, Alexandria, Minn.; son of Sigmund and Alvina (Springel) Moeller; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1960-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Alexandria, Moe Township, Parker Prairie, S. Effington Township, Mound, Minn. Retired 1997. Survivors: Mary (Wuenscher) Moeller; sons: Rev. William Jr., Gregory, Jon. Memorial Service: Jan. 13, 2024, Alexandria, Minn.; Interment: Jan. 13, 2024, Leaf Valley, Minn.
OTTO, MARVIN D. REV., June 3, 1938, Lincoln, Neb., to Jan. 7, 2024, Kingsport, Tenn.; son of Richard and Merna (Dickson) Otto; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1979; 1983-1991; 1993-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Lidgerwood, Dickinson, N.D.; Kingsport, Tenn.; Little Rock, N. Little Rock, Ark.; New Orleans, La. Mid-South District Circuit Visitor 1991. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by his daughter Rebeccah Whitlock. Survivors: Marlene (Greene) Otto; sons: John, Kurt. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 12, 2024, Kingsport, Tenn.
PAUL, ROBERT WILIAM REV., July 21, 1933, Detroit, Mich., to Dec. 21, 2023, Hancock, Mich.; son of Alfred and Florence (Dobbert) Paul; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1959-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Monticello, Ind.; Hancock, Chatham, Mich.; River Falls, Wis. North Wisconsin District Circuit Visitor 1973-1982. Retired 1995. Survivors: Dorothy (Dieckhoff) Paul; sons: Marcus, Nels, David; daughter: Krista Stimac. Funeral: Dec. 27, 2023, Houghton, Mich.; Interment: Spring, Mich.
RIECK, JOHN WILBUR REV., May 1, 1933, Marble, Minn., to Jan. 15, 2024, Burbank, Calif.; son of Rev. Norman and Martha (Senske) Rieck; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1997; 2003-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Casey, Marshall, Ill.; Orange, La Crescenta, Pasadena, Calif. Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his wife Julia (Schwerman) Rieck. Survivors: daughters: Ruth Bot, Rebecca, Elizabeth Crawford. Memorial Service: Jan. 27, 2024, La Crescenta, Calif.; Interment: Alta Dena, Calif.
SCHROEDER, FREDERICK F. REV., July 14, 1943, Galveston, Texas, to Jan. 3, 2024, Lander, Wyo.; son of Fred and Edna (Peterson) Schroeder; colloquy 2003. Served 2003-2015. Ministry/Parish: Lander, Wyo. Retired 2015. Survivors: Jo Ann (McKay) Schroeder; sons: Jon, Andrew, Mark; daughter: Susan Shipley. Funeral: Jan. 12, 2024, Lander, Wyo.
SPARKS, STEVEN EARL REV., Dec. 29, 1954, Pontiac, Mich., to Jan. 12, 2024, Dearborn, Mich.; son of James and Hazel (Doebler) Sparks; colloquy 2019. Served 2021-2024. Ministry/Parish: Dearborn, Mich. Preceded in death by his son Eric Sparks. Survivors: sons: Kyle, Brandon. Funeral: Jan. 20, 2024, Birmingham, Mich.; Interment: Livonia, Mich.
WEIDNER, ARTHUR PHILIP REV., Sept. 11, 1938, Zap, N.D., to Jan. 10, 2024, Fargo, N.D.; son of Albert and Bertha (Richau) Weidner; graduated Springfield Seminary 1967. Served 1967-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Norfolk, Neb.; Mesa, Ariz.; Fargo, N.D. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife Angeline (Jacobs) Weidner. Survivors: sons: Christian, Arthur; daughters: Amy Hoskins, Edith Opdahl. Funeral: Jan. 15, 2024, W. Fargo, N.D.; Interment: Jan. 16, 2024, Fergus Falls, Minn.
ZIEHR, RICHARD OTTO REV., Oct. 12, 1931, Cisco, Texas, to Jan. 5, 2024, Kyle, Texas; son of William and Emma (Medack) Ziehr; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Baton Rouge, La.; Huntsville, Ala.; Shalimar, Fla. Southern District Circuit Visitor. Retired 1995. Survivors: Constance (Kitto) Ziehr; sons: Mark, Rev. David; daughter: Ellen Lange. Funeral: Jan. 11, 2024, Austin, Texas; Interment: Jan. 11, 2024, Cisco, Texas.
COMMISSIONED
BEHRENS, FLOYD FRANK DR., Sept. 30, 1930, Lincoln, Kan., to June 15, 2023, Seymour, Ind.; son of Otto and Ida (Schwerdtfeger) Behrens; graduated Seward 1954. Served 1952-1998. Schools/Ministries: Holbrook, Seward, Neb.; N. Miami, Winter Haven, Fla.; Oahu, Hawaii. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by his wife Janet (Wessel) Behrens. Survivor: son: Joel. Funeral and Interment: June 27, 2023, Seymour, Ind.
BELLIN, WILLARD H., Oct. 14, 1943, Milwaukee, Wis., to Jan. 4, 2024, Mt. Pleasant, Wis.; son of Bernard and Eleonora (Steinbach) Bellin; graduated River Forest 1966. Served 1966-2004. Schools/Ministries: New Haven, Ind.; Milwaukee, Sturtevant, Wis.; Little Rock, Ark.; Hickory, N.C.; Savannah, Ga.; N. Miami, Fla. Retired 2004. Survivors: Sharon (Huff) Bellin; son: Nathaniel. Funeral: Jan. 12, 2024, Racine, Wis.
DUCHOW, MARTIN CARL, Oct. 11, 1941, Tonasket, Wash., to Nov. 30, 2023, Milwaukee, Wis.; son of Carl and Fredia Duchow; graduated Seward 1964. Served 1964-2009. Schools/Ministries: Arnold, Mo.; Mequon, Wis. Retired 2009. Survivors: Carolyn (Oesterreich) Duchow; son: Terry; daughters: Susan Hafemann, Katie Kogutkiewicz. Funeral: Dec. 16, 2023, Hales Corners, Wis.
GOLZ, PAUL GUILBERT, Dec. 11, 1982, Groton, Conn., to Jan. 4, 2024, Elmhurst, Ill.; son of Scott and Celeste Golz; graduated Portland 2005. Served 2006-2023. Schools/Ministries: Bensenville, Lombard, Ill. Preceded in death by his daughter Johanna Golz. Survivors: Allison (Grube) Golz; son: Zachary; daughter: Olivia. Funeral: Jan. 10, 2024, Lombard, Ill.; Interment: Jan. 10, 2024, Justice, Ill.
JONES, LORNE ERNEST, May 7, 1945, Ludington, Mich., to Sept. 19, 2023, Forest Grove, Ore.; son of Rev. Lymon and Lila (Peterson) Jones; graduated Seward 1967. Served 1967-2008. Schools/Ministries: Hutchinson, Minn.; Marysville, Ohio; Portage, Wis.; Redding, Calif.; Bend, Cornelius, Ore. Retired 2008. Survivors: Rozanne (Piske) Jones; daughters: Heather Johnson, Kristen. Funeral: Oct. 7, 2023, Forest Grove, Ore.; Interment: Forest Grove, Ore.
MENZEL, EUGENE WALTER, Nov. 5, 1946, Serbin, Texas, to Dec. 19, 2023, Huntsville, Ala.; son of Herman and Blandina (Malke) Menzel; graduated Seward 1969. Served 1969-2014. Schools/Ministries: Huntsville, Ala.; Lemay, Mo.; Metairie, Slidell, La. Retired 2014. Survivor: Lorna (Streufert) Menzel. Funeral: Dec. 29, 2023, Huntsville, Ala.
RUDI, BRUCE DAVID, May 25, 1953, St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada, to Dec. 24, 2023, San Antonio, Texas; son of Waldemar and Maude Rudi; graduated River Forest 1975. Served 1975-2019. Schools/Ministries: Arlington Heights, Ill.; San Antonio, Houston, Texas; Detroit, Mich. Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his daughter Bethany Rudi. Survivors: Carol (Schneider) Rudi; daughter: Stephanie. Celebration of Life: Jan. 13, 2024, Arlington Heights, Ill., and Jan. 27, 2024, San Antonio, Texas.
WOOLSEY, JUDITH ANN (LEVENHAGEN), Nov. 26, 1940, Vincennes, Ind., to Feb. 3, 2023, Danville, Ind.; daughter of Lorenz and Hulda (Yochum) Levenhagen; graduated River Forest 1965. Served 1974-2008. Schools/Ministries: Evansville, Indianapolis, Avon, Ind. Retired 2008. Preceded in death by her son Jonathan Woolsey and stepdaughter Kimberly Lovett. Survivors: Richard Woolsey; sons: Rev. David, Adam; stepdaughter: Lisa Louderback. Funeral: Feb. 9, 2023, Avon, Ind.
ZOCH, THEODORE FRED, April 5, 1936, Winchester, Texas, to Jan. 7, 2024, Austin, Texas; son of Theodore and Adeline (Schultze) Zoch; graduated Seward 1959. Served 1959-2007. Schools/Ministries: Austin, Corpus Christi, Groves, Texas; Chicago, Ill. Retired 2007. Preceded in death by his sons James and John Zoch. Survivors: Elizabeth (Londenberg) Zoch; son: Tim; daughters: Patricia Powers, Susan Glover, Angie Goeke. Funeral: Jan. 13, 2024, Austin, Texas.
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