In Memoriam (June/July 2025)

IN MEMORIAM (June/July 2025)

             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

CRAMM, KEVIN JAY REV., July 28, 1955, Macomb, Ill., to Jan. 5, 2025, Alamogordo, N.M.; son of Russell and Sheryl Cramm; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1983. Served 1998-2017. Ministries/Parishes: Rock Island, Ill.; Apache, Okla. Retired 2017. Survivors: Lisa (Mohns) Cramm; sons: Joel, Matthew; daughters: Jessica, Sarah. Funeral: Jan. 14, 2025, Alamogordo, N.M.; Interment: Jan. 16, 2025, Santa Fe, N.M.

FRANZEN, NORMAN NORRIS REV., April 15, 1936, Gothenburg, Neb., to Nov. 28, 2024, Omaha, Neb.; son of Meinert and Elizabeth (Aden) Franzen; graduated Wartburg Seminary 1962. Served 1975-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Michigan City, Evansville Ind.; Garden Grove, Anaheim, Orange, Calif. Retired 2001. Preceded in death by his wife Kathryn (Krogh) Franzen. Funeral: Dec. 3, 2025, Omaha, Neb.; Interment: Dec. 4, 2025, Gothenburg, Neb.

GLAWATZ, DALE FREDRICK REV., Aug. 10, 1947, Deshler, Neb., to March 22, 2025, Iowa City, Iowa; son of Elmer and Esther (Loontjer) Glawatz; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1988. Served 1988-2013. Ministries/Parishes: Monticello, Guthrie Center, Garner, Iowa; Hot Springs Village, Ark. Iowa East District Circuit Visitor 1991-1997. Retired 2013. Preceded in death by his son Dale II. Survivors: Gloria (Morris) Glawatz; son: Jeremy; daughter: Elizabeth Cruise. Funeral and Interment: March 29, 2025, Monticello, Iowa.

KLEINSCHMIDT, DONALD WILLIAM REV., March 28, 1938, Ft. Wayne, Ind., to Jan. 29, 2025, Randolph, N.J.; son of Fred and Frieda (Fischbach) Kleinschmidt; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1989. Ministries/Parishes: Kugenuma, Japan, Ft. Wayne, Ind. Retired 2000. Preceded in death by his wife Marlene (Colicho) Kleinschmidt. Survivors: son: D. Michael; daughter: Donna Nathan. Celebration of Life: July 11, 2025, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Interment: Feb. 14, 2025, Ft. Wayne, Ind.

KUHN, ROBERT T. REV. DR., April 5, 1937, St. Paul, Minn., to March 1, 2025, Winter Garden, Fla.; son of Walter and Evelyn (Bass) Kuhn; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1963. Served 1963-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Bath, Chandlerville, Geneseo, River Forest, Pleasant Plains, Springfield, Ill.; St. Louis, Mo. Central Illinois District President 1985-1995. LCMS First Vice-President 1995-2001; LCMS President 2001; LCMS Sixth Vice-President 2013-2015; Central Illinois District Circuit Visitor. Retired 2001. Survivors: Judith (Mittenzwey) Kuhn; sons: Paul, Mark; daughter: Kathleen Minde. Funeral: March 14, 2025, Oviedo, Fla; March 28, 2025, Bath, Ill.; Interment: March 28, 2025, Bath, Ill.

LUCAS, WILLIE CURTIS REV., Aug. 4, 1947, Chicago, Ill., to Feb. 5, 2025, Houston, Texas; son of Lula Lucas; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1979. Served 1979-2025. Ministries/Parishes: Brooklyn, N.Y.; Chicago, E. St. Louis, Ill.; Houston, Texas. Survivors: Marilyn (Hemphill) Lucas; daughter: Cindy Lewis. Funeral and Interment: Feb. 20, 2025, Houston, Texas.

MAIER, PAUL LUTHER REV. DR., May 31, 1930, St. Louis, Mo., to Feb. 27, 2025, Kalamazoo, Mich.; son of Rev. Dr. Walter and Hulda (Eickhoff) Maier; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1955. Served 1958-1999. Ministry/Parish: Kalamazoo, Mich. LCMS Fourth Vice-President 2001-2004, LCMS Second Vice-President 2004-2010, LCMS Third Vice-President 2010-2013. Retired 1999. Preceded in death by his wife Joan (Ludtke) Maier. Survivors: daughters: Laura Alexander, Julie, Krista Klepchak, Katherine Maier-Toepper. Funeral: March 14, 2025, Kalamazoo, Mich. Interment: March 14, 2025, Oshtemo, Mich.

MACDONALD, PHILLIP MICHAEL REV., Nov. 29, 1949, Wilmington, Del., to March 11, 2025, Charlotte, N.C.; son of Lewis and Alice (Donovan) MacDonald; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1986. Served 1986-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Charlotte, N.C. Retired 2021. Survivors: Lauri (Clayman) MacDonald; sons: Joshua, Matthew; daughter: Diane Bonefort. Memorial Service: March 19, 2025, Charlotte, N.C.; Inurnment: Kingsville, Ohio.

RUDNICK, MILTON LEROY REV. DR., Dec. 24, 1927, Fresno, Calif., to Feb. 21, 2025, Albertville, Minn.; son of Rev. Edward and Natalie (Sandler) Rudnick; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1952. Served 1953-1992. Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Mo.; New York City, N.Y.; St. Paul, Minn.; Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA. Retired 1992. Survivors: Carlene (Helmkamp) Rudnick; sons: Robert, Richard; daughter: Deborah Schreiner. Funeral: March 29, 2025, Albertville, Minn.

SCHMIDT, WARREN WALTER REV., June 15, 1936, Salina, Kan., to Feb. 23, 2025, Concordia, Mo.; son of Rev. Walter and Emma (Russman) Schmidt; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1962-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Fairfield, Iowa; Hays, Clay Center, Colby, Kan.; Rolla, Mo. Kansas District First Vice-President 1986-1991. Kansas District Third Vice-President 1991-1994. Kansas District Circuit Visitor 1981-1983. Retired 1998. Survivors: Ardella (Anderson) Schmidt; son: Luther; daughters: Rachel Brown, Joanna Egbert. Funeral and Interment: March 4, 2025, Concordia, Mo.

SCHOOLCRAFT, ROGER P. REV., March 9, 1942, Pontiac, Mich., to March 1, 2025, Parrish, Fla.; son of Zeno and Helene Schoolcraft; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1969. Served 1969-2007, 2012-2013, 2014-2017, 2022-2023. Ministries/Parishes: St. James, Mo.; Altoona, Iowa; Lincoln, Neb.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Lexington Park, Md.; Winston-Salem, N.C.; Chesterfield, Va; Summerfield, Fla. Mid-South District Circuit Visitor 1997-2009. Retired 2023. Preceded in death by his wife Deb (Steen) Schoolcraft. Survivors: Tambry Schoolcraft; son: Aaron; daughter: Andrea Schratz. Celebration of Life: March 8, 2025, Sarasota, Fla.; Interment: March 15,2025, St. James, Mo.

SCHULZ, JOHN PAUL REV., Dec. 12, 1932, Johnson City, Tenn., to March 12, 2025, Knoxville, Tenn.; son of Rev. Claire and Amelia (Ziekelbach) Schulz; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1957. Served 1957-1997. Ministries/Parishes: Lake Jackson, Houston, Texas; Knoxville, Tenn. Retired 1997. Survivors: Gloria (Krentz) Schulz; son: John Jr.; daughter: Beth Buckner. Funeral and Interment: March 17, 2025, Knoxville, Tenn.

SHERREN, RANDOLPH G. REV., Sept. 18, 1945, Ft. Meade, Md., to Feb. 26, 2025, Bloomington, Minn.; son of Guy and Elsie (Mathias) Sherren; graduated Springfield 1973. Served 1973-2012. Ministries/Parishes: Bloomington, Medford, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minn. Minnesota South District Vice-President. Retired 2012. Preceded in death by his daughter Amber. Survivors: Judith (Tremaine) Sherren; daughters: April, Alice Prigge. Celebration of Life: March 15, 2025, Bloomington, Minn.; cremation.

SHERRY, DAVID F. REV., July 29, 1956, Detroit, Mich., to March 8, 2025, Saginaw, Mich.; son of David and Merlene (Wildauer) Sherry; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1982. Served 1982-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Defiance, Ohio; Millington, Bay City, Mich.; Crookston, Eldred, Minn. Retired 2019. Preceded in death by his wife Beth (Weber) Sherry. Survivors: Linda (Abraham) Sherry; sons: Andrew, Daniel, Rev. Jacob; Stepchildren: Rachel Abraham, Aaron Abraham, Caleb Abraham. Funeral: March 17, 2025, Saginaw, Mich.; Interment: March 17, 2025, Bay City, Mich.

STOHS, EUGENE ERICH REV., Nov. 3, 1941, Vandalia, Ill., to March 15, 2025, Shawnee, Kan.; son of George and Lorina (Jacob) Stohs; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1967. Served 1967-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Millersburg, Deep River, Iowa; Kansas City, Kan. Retired 2015. Survivors: Anita (Reith) Stohs; sons: Matthew, Christopher; daughter: Miriam. Funeral and Interment: March 29, 2025, Shawnee, Kan.

SWENEY, RICHARD ELWIN JR. REV., Feb. 8, 1962, Cleveland, Ohio, to Feb. 11, 2025, Parma Heights, Ohio; son of Richard and Beverly Sweney; Graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 2010. Served 2010-2024. Ministry/Parish: Parma, Ohio. Retired 2024. Survivors: Linda (Karol) Sweney; daughters: Jennifer Ward, Laura Hanawalt, Rachel Griffin, Kayla Schuler. Funeral: Feb. 17, 2025, Parma, Ohio; Interment: Feb. 17, 2025, Middleburg Heights, Ohio.

TURNER, JAMES WALTER REV., July 13, 1936, Highland Park, Mich, to March 12, 2025, Southfield, Mich.; son of Walter and Florence (Ames) Turner; colloquy 1997. Served 1997-2006. Retired 2006. Preceded in death by his daughter Lori. Survivors: Lois (Davis) Turner; son: Kenneth; daughter: Jeanette. Funeral: March 20, 2025, Detroit, Mich.; Interment: March 20, 2025, Plymouth, Mich.

COMMISSIONED

JOPP, KEITH RALPH, Sept. 13, 1942, to March 10, 2025, Wichita, Kan.; son of Ralph and Clara (Stoeckmann) Jopp; graduated Seward 1965. Served 1965-2008. School/Ministry: Cheney, Kan. Retired 2008. Survivors: Janet (Harrington) Jopp; daughters: Tonya Gaona, Jacque Durr, Kim Grummitt, Leah Rietz. Funeral and Interment: March 15, 2025, Cheney, Kan.

LUEDTKE, TODD NORMAN, Jan. 25, 1947, Kingston, N.Y., to March 15, 2025, Altamont, Ill.; son of Norman and Caroline Luedtke; graduated River Forest 1969. Served 1969-1988, 1991-2007. Schools/Ministries: Papua, New Guinea; Portland, Ore.; Irvine, LaVerne, Calif.; Shanghai, China. Retired 2012. Survivors: Janet (Wolff) Luedtke; sons: Andrew, Rhett; daughter: DeAnna Heimsoth. Funeral:  March 19, 2025, Altamont, Ill.; Interment: March 19, 2025, Effingham, Ill.

PAGELS, JAMES DONALD, Dec. 8, 1941, Woodlake, Minn., to March 7, 2025, Howell, Mich.; son of Ernst and Frieda Pagels; graduated River Forest 1964. Served 1964-2011. Schools/Ministries: Detroit, Ann Arbor, Brighton, Mich. Retired 2011. Survivors: Doris (Meyermann) Pagels; son: Mark; daughter: Michelle Pitonyak. Funeral: March 13, 2025, Brighton, Mich.

PRALLE, GERHARDT RONALD, March 31, 1942, Enid, Okla., to Feb. 11, 2025, Ponca City, Okla.; son of G.F. and Lydia Pralle; graduated Seward 1963. Served 1963-2004. Schools/Ministries: Parma, Ohio; Teaneck, N.J.; Pagedale, Mo.; Tulsa, Okla.; Topeka, Kan. Retired 2004. Survivors: Marilyn (Mueller) Pralle; daughters: Tanya Hercyk, Heather Schroeder. Memorial Service: Feb. 17, 2025, Ponca City, Okla.; Interment: Feb. 17, 2025, Fairmont, Okla.

REINERTSON, MICKIE B., April 11, 1939, Modesto, Calif., to April 20, 2024, Huntington Beach, Calif.; son of Bernard and Edna (de la Motte) Reinertson; graduated Seward 1963. Served 1963-1970, 1974-2001. Schools/Ministries: Round Lake, Whitting, Garden Grove, Orange, Anaheim, Calif. Retired 2001. Survived: Betty (Kirchhof) Reinertson; daughters: Denise Trok, Brenda Hawkins, Coleen Barrier. Celebration of Life: May 25, 2024, Huntington Beach, Calif.

REISIG, RAY DAVID, Sept. 1, 1948, Portland, Ore., to Feb. 7, 2025, Clackamas, Ore.; son of David and Evelyn (Hall) Reisig; graduated Seward 1970. Served 1970-2011. Schools/Ministries: Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Portland, Ore. Retired 2011. Survivors: Mary Catherine (Jakes) Reisig. Memorial Service: May 10, 2025, Portland, Ore.

SCHRADER, JANICE LYNN (ULRICH), Oct. 10, 1952, Greenville, Ky., to Oct. 21, 2024, Minn.; daughter of Robert and Elsie (Ross) Ulrich; graduated Seward 1977. Served 1981-1989, 1992, 1996-2009, 2012-2018. Schools/Ministries: Utica, Fraser, Mich.; Memphis, Tenn.; Santa Rosa, Calif.; St. Paul, Edina, Richfield, Roseville, Minn.; Murray, Utah; Forest Hill, Md.; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Retired 2018. Survivors: Steve Schrader; sons: Aaron, John; daughter: Sarah Wachholz. Memorial Service: Nov. 7, 2024, Edina, Minn.

TAGGE, BRUCE CHARLES, Dec. 2, 1947, Flint, Mich., to March 8, 2025, Peoria, Ill.; son of Harold and Helen Tagge; graduated River Forest 1971. Served 1971-2014. School/Ministry: Peoria, Ill. Retired 2014. Survivors: Kathleen (Bohne) Tagge; sons: Timothy, Martin, Michael, Jonathan, Andrew; daughter: Elizabeth. Memorial Service: March 17, 2025, Peoria, Ill.; Interment: March 17, 2025, Oak Lawn, Ill.

YORK, JOANN MARIE (REINS), June 16, 1944, Clarinda, Iowa, to Feb. 26, 2025. Lincoln, Neb.; daughter of Lawrence and Alice (Nothwehr) Reins; graduated Seward 1966. Served 1997-2002. School/Ministry: Clarinda, Iowa. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by her son Andy. Survivors: John York; son: Ted; daughter: Laurie Stogdill. Funeral and Interment: March 8, 2025, Clarinda, Iowa.