IN MEMORIAM (February 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
ALLEN, RICHARD BURTON REV., Jan. 10, 1934, Mt. Clemens, Mich., to Oct. 22, 2023, Palmer, Alaska; son of Richard and Lorraine (Helwig) Allen; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1996; 2011-2016. Ministries/Parishes: Tacoma, Lakewood Center, Oak Harbor, Bellevue, Redmond, Wash.; U.S. Navy Chaplain; Wasilla, Chugiak, Alaska. Northwest District Circuit Visitor 2014-2018. Retired 2016. Survivors: Eleanor (Siegert) Allen; sons: Mark, Scott; daughters: Dawn, Laura. Funeral: Nov. 18, 2023, Palmer, Alaska.
BARNETTE, NORMAN B. JR. REV., Dec. 25, 1940, Los Angeles, Calif., to Oct. 9, 2023, Melbourne, Fla.; son of Norman Sr. and Virginia (Cobb) Barnette; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1986. Served 1986-1995; 1996-1999; 2004-2010; 2011-2017. Ministries/Parishes: Chappell, Neb.; Concordia, Mo.; Grand Junction, Edwards, Peyton, Estes Park, Hobbs, Lovington, Colo. Retired 2017. Preceded in death by his wife Algene (Kuhn) Barnette. Survivors: son: Norman; daughter: Christine.
BARNHART, JERRY W. REV., April 27, 1938, Portland, Ind., to Oct. 25, 2023, Visalia, Calif.; son of Thomas and Louise (Journey) Barnhart; colloquy 1985. Served 1985-1990; 1991-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Richmond, Schererville, Ind.; Lindsay, Pinole, San Lorenzo, Calif. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his daughter Debra. Survivors: Janice (Jahnke) Barnhart; son: Bronson; daughters: Pamela, Anna, Kimberly, Leatha, Sherry.
BESALSKI, ROBERT CONRAD HERMAN REV., July 6, 1933, Jackson, Mich., to Nov. 7, 2023, Gainesville, Fla.; son of Rev. Albert and Wilma (Mueller) Besalski; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1996; 2011-2012. Ministries/Parishes: Mobile, Ala.; Gainesville, Ocala, Fla. Florida-Georgia District Circuit Visitor. Retired 2012. Survivors: Elaine (Brewton) Besalski; daughters: Carolyn Adams, Betsy Alexander. Celebration of Life: Nov. 18, 2023, Gainesville, Fla.
GADE, DEAN RAYMOND REV., June 10, 1937, St. Joseph, Mo., to Sept. 23, 2023, Ukiah, Calif.; son of Rev. Edward and Louise (Wunnenberg) Gade; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1963-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Pensacola, Fla.; Cario, N.Y.; Oshkosh, Wis.; Willits, Laytonville, Calif. Retired 2002. Survivors: Joan (Kelly) Gade; son: Seth; daughters: Corrin, Cinnamon.
HELD, GARY THEODORE REV., Sept. 6, 1962, Downey, Calif., to Oct. 23, 2023, Monroe, La.; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2000. Served 2000-2023. Ministries/Parishes: N. Vernon, Ind.; Palm Bay, Fla.; Monroe, La. Florida-Georgia District Circuit Visitor 2009-2018. Survivors: Judy Held; son: Joseph; daughters: Grace, Anna, Faith. Funeral: Nov. 11, 2023, Monroe, La.
JOHNSON, DANIEL QUILL REV., Aug. 19, 1930, Albert Lea, Minn., to Nov. 18, 2023, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; son of Rolland and Stella (Quill) Johnson; graduated Springfield Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Canoga Park, Anaheim, Calif.; Sioux City, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Iowa District East Circuit Visitor 1990-1992. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by his wife LaVonne (Jordahl) Johnson. Survivors: sons: Rev. Lee, David; daughter: Kristin Krueger. Memorial Service: July 6, 2024, Hiawatha, Iowa.
JOHNSON, SCOTT DAVID REV., April 13, 1959, Eau Claire, Wis., to Nov. 20, 2023, Newton, N.C.; son of LeRoy and Barbara (Bartholomew) Johnson; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1987. Served 1987-2023. Ministries/Parishes: Fairgrove, Mich.; Conover, N.C. Survivors: Denise (Bradtmueller) Johnson; sons: David, Devin, Chance; daughters: Suzanne Zastrow, Joanna Lee, Mary Zerbe. Celebration of Life: Nov. 25, 2023, Conover, N.C.
KASSOUF, JOHN FREDERICK REV., Sept. 30, 1954, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Nov. 22, 2023, Fredericksburg, Va.; son of Frederick and Caroline (Trinkl) Kassouf; colloquy 1992. Served 1992-2022. Ministries/Parishes: Sunderland, Bel Air, Md.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Fredericksburg, Va. Retired 2022. Survivors: Francine (Fruscillo) Kassouf; sons: Andrew, Tim, Mark. Funeral: Dec. 2, 2023, Fredericksburg, Va.
LEEMAN, KARL KALERVA REV., July 14, 1929, Peterborough, N.H., to Jan. 17, 2023, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; son of Karl and Lydia (Quist) Leeman; graduated Springfield Seminary 1963. Served 1964-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Benton, Avilla, Ark.; Gordonville, Chaffee, Mo. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wife Elaine (Schiebinger) Leeman. Survivors: sons: Dan, David; daughters: Kathy Hinkson, Carol. Funeral: Jan. 23, 2023, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Interment: Jan. 23, 2023, Bloomfield, Mo.
MEALWITZ, PETER EDWARD REV. DR., July 28, 1935, Boston, Mass., to Nov. 13, 2023, Elyria, Ohio; son of Henry and Martha (Volk) Mealwitz; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1960. Served 1961-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Springfield, Ill.; Tallmadge, Elyria, Ohio. Retired 1997. Preceded in death by his wife Claudette (Chrien) Mealwitz. Survivors: sons: Scott, Todd; daughter: Kimberly Pausa. Interment: Nov. 16, 2023, Elyria, Ohio.
MESSMANN, WARREN EDWARD REV., Feb. 26, 1940, Ft. Wayne, Ind., to Oct. 22, 2023, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Wilmer and Margaret (Grime) Messmann; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1977. Served 1977-1985; 1989-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Connersville, Rushville, Ind.; Marysville, Ohio. Retired 2009. Survivors: Joan (Rathjen) Messmann; daughters: Rachel Pollock, Hannah Jackson. Funeral: Nov. 1, 2023, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Interment: Nov. 1, 2023, New Haven, Ind.
SCHOEDEL, WALTER M. REV., Feb. 26, 1926, Stratford, Ontario, Canada, to Nov. 9, 2023, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Rev. G. Walter and Vera (Michael) Schoedel; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1949. Served 1950-1991. Ministries/Parishes: Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Kirkwood, Mo. Central District Circuit Visitor 1957-1964. Retired 1991. Preceded in death by his wives Barbara (Nolde) Schoedel and Leota (Meyer) Schoedel. Survivors: sons: John, Mark, David, Peter, Michael; daughters: Marcia Eckrich, Paula Burnett; stepdaughters: Carol Henke, Candace Prochaska, Connie Gilman, Colleen Kracht. Funeral: Nov. 25, 2023, Kirkwood, Mo.; Interment: Nov. 25, 2023, St. Louis, Mo.
SIMON, ARTHUR R. REV., July 28, 1930, Eugene, Ore., to Nov. 14, 2023, Bowie, Md.; son of Rev. Martin and Ruth (Troemel) Simon; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1959-1982. Ministries/Parishes: Denver, Colo.; New York, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.; Richmond, Va. Retired 1997. Survivors: Shirley (Bieberich) Simon; sons: Nathan, Peter, Richard; daughter: Leah. Funeral: Dec. 1, 2023, Mt. Rainier, Md.
STUCKMEYER, CHARLES DAVID REV., Nov. 1, 1935, Brazil, Ind., to Nov. 22, 2023, Arlington Heights, Ill.; son of Rev. Richard and Bertha (Haynes) Stuckmeyer; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1961-2000. Ministries/Parishes: Hastings, Mich.; Arlington Heights, Ill. English District Circuit Visitor 1983-1991. Retired 2000. Survivors: Alice (Brandau) Stuckmeyer; son: Luke; daughter: Lisa Hans. Funeral: Nov. 28, 2023, Arlington Heights, Ill.; Interment: Nov. 28, 2023, Elmhurst, Ill.
THIELE, GERALD LEE DALE REV., Nov. 6, 1934, Shawano, Wis., to Nov. 4, 2023, Vernon, Texas; son of Harry and Margaret (Huebner) Thiele; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1989. Ministry/Parish: Vernon, Texas. Texas District Circuit Visitor 1966-1988. Retired 1989. Survivors: Suzanne (Ariens) Thiele; son: Matthew; daughters: Cheryl Mattil, Nancy Graham, Laurel Hislope. Funeral and Interment: Nov. 6, 2023, Vernon, Texas.
WEBER, ROBERT LOUIS REV., Nov. 23, 1930, Indianapolis, Ind., to Oct. 14, 2023, Vancouver, Wash.; son of Adolph and Emma (Decker) Weber; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1955-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Lake Park, Iowa; Milan, Kalamazoo, Mich.; S. Euclid, Columbus, Ohio; Vancouver, Wash.; Portland, Ore. Northwest District Circuit Visitor 1989-1995. Retired 1994. Survivors: Thea (Heckman) Weber; sons: David, Dennis, Michael; daughter: Barbara. Memorial Service: Nov. 11, 2023, Vancouver, Wash.
WEGNER, PETER CHARLES REV., Oct. 9, 1946, Moline, Ill., to Oct. 22, 2023, W. Des Moines, Iowa; son of Walter and Margaret (Boettcher) Wegner; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1972. Served 1972-1989; 1991-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Memphis, Tenn.; Chicago, Ill., W. Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa District West Circuit Visitor 1985-1989. Retired 2019. Survivors: Deborah (Roberts) Wegner; son: Peter; daughter: Keri.
COMMISSIONED
BAUER, NANCY K. (KIEL), Jan. 11, 1949, Hammond, Ind., to June 29, 2023, Bay City, Mich.; daughter of Roland and Dorothy (Kurtz) Kiel; graduated River Forest 1972. Served 1990-2016. School/Ministry: Bay City, Mich. Retired 2016. Preceded in death by her son Casey Bauer. Survivors: Archie Bauer; daughter: Jamie Gregory.
BIERLEIN, LEON CHARLES, July 21, 1941, Saginaw, Mich., to Oct. 27, 2023, Elgin, Ill.; son of Carl and Lorna (Weber) Bierlein; graduated River Forest 1964. Served 1964-2006. Schools/Ministries: Melrose Park, Elgin, Ill. Retired 2006. Preceded in death by his son Joel. Survivors: Leila (Buddenbaum); sons: Jim, Jeffrey. Funeral: Nov. 4, 2023, Elgin, Ill.
BRAATZ, RUTH E., Sept. 25, 1932, Whittemore, Iowa, to Sept. 15, 2023, Beloit, Wis.; daughter of Louis and Olga (Huellen) Braatz; graduated River Forest 1960. Served 1976-1995. Schools/Ministries: Wentzville, Mo.; Janesville, Wis. Retired 1995. Funeral: Sept. 23, 2023, Janesville, Wis.; Interment: Whittemore, Iowa.
BROCKDORF, JEANETTE EDNA IRMA (GURSKE), March 26, 1931, River Hills, Wis., to Oct. 1, 2023, West Bend, Wis.; daughter of John and Louisa Gurske; graduated River Forest 1952. Served 1975-1993. Schools/Ministries: Glendale, Wis. Retired 1993. Preceded in death by her husband Robert Brockdorf and children Vernette Laubenstein and Vincent Brockdorf. Survivors: son: Vernon; daughters: Vicki Holewinski, Valerie Symons. Funeral and Interment: Oct. 13, 2023, Glendale, Wis.
CRISLER, PAUL GILBERT, Oct. 8, 1937, Red Bud, Ill., to Oct. 23, 2023, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Gilbert and Nellie (Allmeyer) Crisler; graduated River Forest 1960. Served 1960-2008. Schools/Ministries: Jennings, St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2008. Survivors: Carolyn (Madorin) Crisler; son: Jeff Baxter; daughters: Jennifer Fournie, Jill Collins. Memorial Service: Oct. 29, 2023, St. Louis, Mo.
FITZGERALD, LUCAS MICHAEL, Aug. 10, 1975, San Francisco, Calif., to Oct. 24, 2023, Orange, Calif.; son of Michael and Christie Fitzgerald; graduated Irvine 1998. Served 1999-2023. School/Ministry: Gardena, Calif. Survivors: Erin (Sharp) Fitzgerald; daughters: Christie, Hannah. Funeral: Nov. 4, 2023, Orange, Calif.
GOTTSCHALK, RICHARD ERWIN, May 18, 1945, Storm Lake, Iowa, to Jan. 16, 2023, Franklin, Wis.; son of Martin and Mercedes Gottschalk; graduated St. Paul 1967. Served 1967-2010. Schools/Ministries: Perryville, Alma, Mo.; Linn, Kan.; Newhall, Latimer, Iowa; Truman, Minn.; Oshkosh, Milwaukee, Wis. Retired 2010. Survivors: Jeanne (Meyer) Gottschalk; son: Theodore; daughter: Katrina Goetz. Celebration of Life: June 3, 2023, Truman, Minn.
HAERTLING, LLOYD W., Dec. 15, 1932, Frohna, Mo., to July 17, 2023, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Rudolph and Dorathea (Bronnenkant) Haertling; graduated River Forest 1955. Served 1955-1994. Schools/Ministries: Bremer, Iowa; Concordia, St. Louis. Mo.; Seward, Neb. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Wanda (Mueller) Haertling. Survivors: daughters: Kenda Pavel, Lori Sides. Memorial Service: July 28, 2023, St. Louis, Mo.
HAUSER, ARLENE JOANN (MAIER), June 23, 1935, Chicago, Ill., to Sept. 21, 2023, Wauwatosa, Wis.; daughter of Earl and Lillian (Meyer) Maier; graduated River Forest 1967. Served 1978-1992. Schools/Ministries: LaGrange, Ill.; Bay City, Mich. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by her husband Ronald Hauser. Survivors: daughters: Lynn Little, Beth Peterson, Ellen. Celebration of Life: Oct. 3, 2023, Wauwatosa, Wis.; Interment: Grafton, Wis.
HEIMSOTH, ORLYN A. SR., Aug. 10, 1947, Cole Camp, Mo., to July 15, 2023, Independence, Mo.; son of Oscar and Mildred (Borchers) Heimsoth; graduated River Forest 1969. Served 1969-1977; 1986-2016. Schools/Ministries: Concordia, Mo. Retired 2016. Survivors: Diane (Griffith) Heimsoth; son: Orlyn Jr.; daughter: Heather Liebnau. Funeral and Interment: July 25, 2023, Concordia, Mo.
HORST, LEROY AUGUST, Dec. 22, 1933, Gurley, Neb., to Oct. 7, 2023, Evansville, Ind.; son of John and Martha Horst; graduated Seward 1960. Served 1960-1999. Schools/Ministries: Cheyenne, Wyo.; Denver, Colo. Retired 1999. Preceded in death by his wife Leora Horst. Survivors: son: Tim; daughters: Sandy Inniss, Sue Martin, Sarah DeMaria. Memorial Service: Oct. 28, 2023, Evansville, Ind.
JOHNSTON, JAMES CARLTON, Sept. 2, 1945, Detroit, Mich., to May 18, 2023, Rolla, Mo.; son of Paul and Ruth (Papke) Johnston; graduated River Forest 1970. Served 1970-2010. Schools/Ministries: White Creek, Ind.; Dearborn, Mich.; Jackson, Rosebud, Mo. Retired 2010. Survivors: Helen (Althoff) Johnston; sons: Neal, Nathan, Matthew; daughters: Kristin Phillips, Suzannah Toso. Funeral: May 22, 2023, Rolla, Mo.
KERSTEN, JAYNE E. (FRAUENHOFF), Oct. 14, 1950, Aurora, Ill., to Sept. 10, 2023, Milwaukee, Wis.; daughter of Richard and Margaret (Spillman) Frauenhoff; graduated River Forest 1972. Served 1978-2012. Schools/Ministries: Milwaukee, Berlin, Wis.; Lancaster, Torrance, Calif.; Ionia, Mich.; Matteson, Montgomery, Ill. Retired 2012. Survivor: Robert Kersten. Funeral: Sept. 16, 2023, Berlin, Wis.; Interment: Aurora, Ill.
LUBBEN, WILLIAM H., Oct. 8, 1947, Farmersville, Ill., to Oct. 21, 2023, Los Fresnos, Texas; son of Robert and Helma (Rueter) Lubben; graduated River Forest 1970. Served 1970-1996; 1997-2011. Schools/Ministries: Hales Corner, Wis.; Topeka, Kan.; Litchfield, Lincoln, Red Bud, Ill.; N. Miami, Fla.; Sawyer, Mich.; Glendale, Mo. Retired 2011. Preceded in death by his wife JoAnn (Elmore) Lubben. Survivors: Judy Lubben; son: Robert; daughter: Sarah Makuta; stepdaughters: Jackie Delling, Jessica Fleshman. Memorial Service: Oct. 28, 2023, Harlingen, Texas.
REYNOLDS, EARL LYNN, Oct. 31, 1955, Lincoln, Neb., to Jan. 6, 2023, Calif.; son of Paul and Delma (Meier) Reynolds; graduated Seward 1985. Served 1985-2001. School/Ministry: Sylmar, Calif. Retired 2001. Survivors: Eileen (Rice) Reynolds; son: Joshua Willis. Memorial Service and Interment: April 22, 2023, Salina, Kan.
ROSS, DONALD GENE, June 24, 1940, Muncie, Ind., to June 15, 2023, Pittsburg, Kan.; son of Arthur and Mary (Moler) Ross; colloquy 1985. Served 1987-1995. School/Ministry: Bronxville, N.Y. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by his wife Rosalie (Haven) Ross. Survivors: Janet (Parsi) Ross; sons: Donald II, Doan, Devon; daughter: Cynthia. Memorial Services: June 21, 2023, Pittsburg, Kan.; Oct. 21, 2023, Eustis, Fla.
SANDERS, CHERYL EVELYN (HITZKE), May 15, 1951, to May 26, 2023, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.; graduated River Forest 1973. Served 1987-1992; 1997-2005; 2009-2013. Schools/Ministries: Chicago, Arlington Heights, Ill. Retired 2013. Survivor: Rev. Thomas Sanders. Funeral: May 31, 2023, Carol Stream, Ill.; Interment: May 31, 2023, Forest Park, Ill.
SANDERSFELD LAVONNE LUCILLE (SPIERING), July 1, 1937, Sibley Township, Minn., to Nov. 19, 2023, Williamsburg, Iowa; daughter of Herbert and Adella (Laabs) Spiering; graduated Seward 1963. Served 1974-2000. Schools/Ministries: Williamsburg, Iowa. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by her husband Dennis Sandersfeld. Funeral and Interment: Nov. 22, 2023, Williamsburg, Iowa.
SCHMALZ, PAUL WILLIAM, Sept. 11, 1944, Jefferson City, Mo., to June 10, 2023, Overland Park, Kan.; son of Rev. Alfred and Gertrud (Ehlen) Schmalz; graduated St. Paul 1974. Served 1974-2009. Schools/Ministries: St. Paul, Minn.; Kansas City, Mo. Retired 2009. Funeral: June 17, 2023, Kansas City, Mo.; Interment: June 17, 2023, Jefferson City, Mo.
SCHROEDER, LYDIA ELIZABETH (RISCHE), Nov. 21, 1942, New Orleans, La., to Dec. 12, 2022, Napa, Calif.; daughter of John and Doris Rische; graduated Seward 1965. Served 1981-2008. School/Ministry: Napa, Calif. Retired 2008. Preceded in death by her husband Roger Schroeder. Survivors: daughters: Amy Hammontree, Lisabeth. Memorial Service: April 29, 2023, Napa, Calif.
SCHWENKHOFF, MARY ANITA (EDWARDS), June 9, 1942, Wausau, Wis., to Oct. 18, 2023, Reedsburg, Wis.; daughter of Gordon and Marie (Gruessing) Edwards; graduated St. Paul 1965. Served 1986-2007. School/Ministry: Reedsburg, Wis. Retired 2007. Preceded in death by her husband Henry Schwenkhoff. Survivors: sons: Henry, Andrew. Funeral: Oct. 28, 2023, Reedsburg, Wis.; Interment: Oct. 28, 2023, Rock Springs, Wis.
SEILER, CHRISTINE RACHEL (BAKIRTJY), Dec. 21, 1943, Chicago, Ill., to July 12, 2023, Pearland, Texas; daughter of Canellis and Belva Bakirtjy; graduated River Forest 1978. Served 1978-1993; 1998-2002. Schools/Ministries: Chicago, Ill. Retired 2004. Preceded in death by her husband Walter Seiler Jr. Survivors: son: Mike; daughter: Cathleen Morton. Funeral: Sept. 16, 2023, Park Ridge, Ill.
TELSCHOW, CONNIE MARIE (ASKINS), April 8, 1981, Plano, Texas, to Oct. 1, 2023, Plano, Texas; daughter of David and Linda Askins; graduated Seward 2003. Served 2004-2020. Schools/Ministries: Beaverton, Ore.; Austin, Plano, Texas. Survivors: Jonathan Telschow; sons: Jonathan, Gabriel, Matthew; daughters: Elliana, Catherine. Funeral and Interment: Oct. 7, 2023, Plano, Texas.
TIMMER, DORIS IRENE (HOLZ) DEAC., May 27, 1939, Belvidere, Ill., to April 5, 2023, Watertown, Wis.; daughter of George and Helen (Scherer) Holz; graduated River Forest 1992. Served 1992-2004. Schools/Ministries: Roselle, Marengo, Ill.; Watertown, Wis.; Littleton, Colo. Retired 2004. Preceded in death by her husband Rev. William Timmer. Survivor: son: Kevin Wilaby. Funeral and Interment: April 10, 2023, Watertown, Ill.
WENTZEL, HERMAN KARL, July 2, 1926, Craigmyle, Alberta, Canada, to Sept. 28, 2023, Napoleon, Ohio; son of Rev. Karl and Magdalena (Quindel) Wentzel; graduated River Forest 1949. Served 1949-1993. Schools/Ministries: Concordia, Webster Gardens, Mo.; Courtland, St. Paul, Minn.; Bronxville, N.Y. Retired 1993. Preceded in death by his son James Wentzel. Survivors: Ruth (Schwanz) Wentzel; son: Steven; daughters: Kathryn, Karen. Funeral and Interment: Oct. 4, 2023, Napoleon, Ohio.
