IN MEMORIAM (April 2026)
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
CHAN, DAVID TZE-MING REV., Nov. 28, 1960, HONG KONG, to Dec. 14, 2025, Daly City, Calif.; son of Jimmy and Po (Huie) Chan; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1996. Served 1996-2023. Ministries/Parishes: San Francisco, Menlo Park, S. San Francisco, Calif. Retired 2023. Survivors: Lucy (Wong) Chan; daughter: Bethany. Memorial Service: Dec. 26, 2025, Colma, Calif.
CONRADT, ROBERT JAMES REV., April 22, 1953, Detroit, Mich., to Jan. 5, 2026, Muskegon, Mich.; son of Walter and Mary Ellen (Dosemagen) Conradt; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1979. Served 1979-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Detroit, Muskegon, Mich. Retired 2018. Memorial Service: April 18, 2026, Grand Haven, Mich.; Interment: Kenosha, Wis.
DEVANTIER, PAUL WALTER REV. DR., March 25, 1946, Wausau, Wis., to Nov. 30, 2025, Appleton, Wis.; son of Walter and Ella Devantier; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1972. Served 1972-2015. Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Mo.; Watertown, Wis. Retired 2015. Survivors: Ellen (Stapel) Devantier; sons: Richard, John, Andrew; daughters: Katie, Susan. Funeral: Dec. 5, 2025, Appleton, Wis.; Interment: Dec. 6, 2025, Merrill, Wis.
HINKLE, MARVIN RICHARD REV., June 2, 1941, Lafayette, Ind., to Dec. 13, 2025, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Benjamin and Mary (Falck) Hinkle; colloquy 1979. Served 1980-2009. Ministries/Parishes: Decatur, Logansport, Ind.; Green Valley, Ill. Indiana District Circuit Visitor 1986-1987. Retired 2009. Preceded in death of his son James. Survivor: Harriet (Bledsoe) Hinkle. Funeral: Dec. 19, 2025, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Interment: Dec. 19, 2025, Decatur, Ind.
HINZ, CLARENCE RICHARD REV., April 30, 1935, Detroit, Mich., to Jan. 1, 2026, Utica, Mich.; son of Clarence and Matilda (Hinzpeter) Hinz; graduated Springfield Seminary 1976. Served 1976-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Port Hope, Mt. Clemens, Mich.; Edina, Minn. Michigan District Circuit Visitor 1994-1997. Preceded in death by his daughter Julie. Survivors: Ellen (Schaedel) Hinz; sons: Paul, Rev. David; daughter: Elizabeth Sanderson. Funeral: Jan. 10, 2026, Clinton Twp, Mich.; Interment: Jan. 10, 2026, Macomb, Mich.
HUBER, JOHN GEORGE REV. DR., Sept. 29, 1929, San Francisco, Calif., to Nov. 19, 2025, Oak Park, Ill.; son of John and Ann (Menchen) Huber; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1994. Ministries/Parishes: W. Pomona, Pomona, San Diego, La Jolla, Calif. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Judith (Bertolin) Huber. Funeral: Dec. 5, 2025, River Forest, Ill.
ISENBERG, GERARD E. REV., Oct. 29, 1933, Chicago, Ill., to Jan. 14, 2026, Crown Point, Ind.; son of Edward and Elsie Isenberg, graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1960-2008. Ministries/Parishes: Beaumont, Texas; Merrillville, Ind. Retired 2008. Preceded in death by his son Mark. Survivors: Sue (Hassee) Isenberg; sons: Tim, Brent. Funeral: Jan. 24, 2026, Merrillville, Ind.; Interment: Merrillville, Ind.
KOCH, ROBERT ALAN REV., Dec. 12, 1948, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, to Dec. 5, 2025, Seward, Neb.; son of Alton and Euretha (Meyer) Koch; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-1982, 1986-1992. Ministries/Parishes: Garland, Seward, Potter, Gurley, Neb.; Forsyth, Hardin, St. Xavier, Mont. Retired 2016. Preceded in death by his wife Bettie (Bretthauer) Koch. Survivors: sons: Raymond Bretthauer, Randall, Ryan; daughters: Rhonda Mueller, Rosemary Bretthauer-Mueller, Rebekah Trevino, Robin Aragon. Funeral and Interment: Dec. 12, 2025, Seward, Neb.
KRUEGER, GEORGE A. REV., May 12, 1937, Larimore, N.D., to Jan. 7, 2026, Minot, N.D.; son of Benjamin and Louise Krueger; graduated Springfield Seminary 1967. Served 1967-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Rochester, Eyota, Ortonville, Blue Earth, N. Branch, Walker, Minn. Minnesota South District Circuit Visitor 1985-1999. Minnesota South District Second Vice-President 1989-1991, 1994-1995; Minnesota South District Third Vice-President 1993, 1996-1997; Minnesota South District Fourth Vice-President 1992. Retired 2002. Survivors: Annette (Brauer) Krueger; sons: Paul, Benjamin, Joel; daughter: Elizabeth Marshall. Funeral: Jan. 16, 2026; Moorhead, Minn.; Interment: Niagara, N.D.
KRUEGER, JOHN W. REV. DR., Jan. 30, 1944, Beaver Dam, Wis. to Jan. 7, 2026, Hughson, Calif.; son of Walter and Mabel (Held) Krueger; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1972. Served 1972-2008, 2009-2019. Ministries/Parishes: Burney, Napa, Brea, Modesto, Calif.; Tempe, Ariz. Retired 2019. Survivors: Nancy (Geiger) Krueger; sons: Nathan, David; daughter: Miriam Schmidt. Celebration of Life: Jan. 24, 2026, Turlock, Calif.
LUTZ, CARL E. JR. REV., July 12, 1934, Grand Haven, Mich., to Nov. 17, 2025, Chula Vista, Calif.; son of Carl Sr. and Emma (Brickmann) Lutz; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1960-1973, 1977-1999. Ministries/Parishes: PHILIPPINES; Pontiac, Britton, Mich.; Orange, W. Los Angeles, Calif. Pacific Southwest District Circuit Visitor 1994-1996. Retired 1999. Survivors: Irene (Merkle) Lutz; sons: Samuel, Jonathan; daughters: Ruth, Rachel, Priscillia. Funeral: Jan. 30, 2026, Chula Vista, Calif.
MERTZ, GLENN ALVIN REV., April 9, 1961, Elyria, Ohio, to Dec. 13, 2025, Elyria, Ohio; son of Alvin and Shelby (Reed) Mertz; SMP certified 2025. Served 2025. Ministry/Parish: Elyria, Ohio. Survivors: Jackie Mertz; son: Evan; daughter: Rachel Mason. Funeral and Interment: Dec. 29, 2025, Elyria, Ohio.
MOOG, MARK ALVIN REV., Oct. 6, 1952, Marshfield, Wis., to Jan. 1, 2026, Evansville, Ind.; son of Rev. Alvin and Mildred (Held) Moog; colloquy 2012. Served 2012-2023. Ministry/Parish: Henderson, Ky. Retired 2023. Survivors: Darlene (Bosse) Moog; son: Ryan. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 12, 2026, Evansville, Ind.
MOORE, WILLIAM THOMAS JR. REV., Jan. 28, 1953, to Jan. 4, 2026, Cordova, Tenn.; son of William Sr. and Dorothy (Keeton) Moore; colloquy 2018. Served 2019-2022. Ministry/Parish: W. Memphis, Ark. Retired 2022. Survivors: Norma Moore; daughters: Kristi Nichols, Suzanne. Memorial Service: Feb. 14, 2026, Memphis, Tenn.
MUELLER, THOMAS H. REV., Dec. 27, 1944, Minneapolis, Minn., to Nov. 29, 2025, Sartell, Minn.; son of Clarence and Agnes Mueller; graduated Springfield Seminary 1975. Served 1975-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Brewster, Minnetonka, Minn.; Newhall, Iowa; Atascadero, Calif. Minnesota South District Circuit Visitor 1997-2000. Retired 2006. Survivors: Janet (Farlee) Mueller; sons: Joel, Timothy; daughter: Amanda. Funeral: Jan. 10, 2026, Sartell, Minn.
NELSON, DAVID J. REV., Dec. 7, 1938, Lake Mills, Iowa, to Jan. 19, 2026, St. Cloud, Minn.; son of John and Avis (Oulman) Nelson; colloquy 2004. Joined LCMS as Emeritus 2004. Survivors: Sandra (Weinhold) Nelson; daughter: Janna Holland. Funeral: Jan. 23, 2026, St. Cloud, Minn.; Interment: Santiago, Minn.
PARKER, DUSTIN T. REV. DR., Feb. 11, 1965, Lawrence, Mass., to Jan. 12, 2026, Los Angeles, Calif.; son of Thomas and Marie Parker; colloquy 2004. Served 2005-2026. Ministries/Parishes: Anza, Cerritos, Calif. Pacific Southwest District Circuit Visitor 2009-2018. Pacific Southwest District Third Vice-President 2018-2026. Survivors: Kay (Shields) Parker; son: William. Funeral: Jan. 31, 2026, Cerritos, Calif.
SHELDON, BARRY CRAIG REV., May 7, 1954, Detroit, Mich., to Jan. 7, 2026, Marysville, Mich.; son of Ernest and Ruth (Koch) Sheldon; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1983. Served 1983-2020. Ministry/Parish: Lexington, Mich. Retired 2020. Preceded in death by his sons Andrew, John and daughter Rachel. Survivors: Katherine (Brumm) Sheldon; son: Paul. Funeral: Jan. 16, 2026, Port Huron, Mich.; Interment: Jan. 16, 2026, Lexington, Mich.
STELLING, JOHN FREDERICK REV., May 9, 1939, Beemer, Neb., to Jan. 17, 2026, Austin, Texas; son of Carl and Frieda (Malchow) Stelling; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965. Served 1965-1997, 1998-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Beirut, LEBANON; Houston, Texas. Retired 2004. Survivors: Kathleen (Neben) Stelling; sons: Joel, André, Cory. Funeral: Jan. 30, 2026, Smithville, Texas.
SYMMANK, CLARENCE LEO REV., Dec. 9, 1928, Giddings, Texas, to Jan. 1, 2026, Lone Tree, Colo., son of Arnold and Wilhelmine (Vehrenkamp) Symmank; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953. Served 1955-1995. Ministries/Parishes: Whitehaven, Tenn.; Houston, Nassau Bay, Texas; St. Louis, Mo.; New Orleans, La. Retired 1995. Survivors: Rose (Schwing) Symmank; sons: Mark, Scott; daughter: Suzanne Schmidt. Memorial Service: Jan. 19, 2026, Nassau Bay, Texas; Interment: Jan. 20, 2026, Giddings, Texas.
SZEDLAK, ERNÖ LEOPOLD REV., May 16, 1935, Rajka, HUNGARY, to Dec. 30, 2025, Eau Claire, Wis.; son of Máté and Theresia (Heiling) Szedlak; graduated Springfield Seminary 1964. Served 1964-1998. Ministries/Parishes: JAPAN; Hammond, Westville, Otis, Ind.; Crystal, St. Thomas, N.D. Retired 1998. Survivors: Doreen (Schaefer) Szedlak; daughters: Rebecca Young, Sarah Detlaff, Ruth Gaba. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 6, 2026, Cleghorn, Wis.
VANEK, JAMES A. REV., May 5, 1938, Pine County, Minn., to Dec. 5, 2025, Pecos, Texas; son of Fred and Julie (Shir) Vanek; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1965. Served 1965-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Ft. William, Ontario, CANADA; Frederic, Comstock, Cameron, Wis. Retired 2003. Preceded in death by his wife Betty (Felix) Vanek. Survivors: son: Jason; daughters: Peggy, Karen. Memorial Service: Jan. 3, 2026, Pine City, Minn.
WAGSTAFF, THOMAS LEROY REV., Jan. 12, 1945, Claremore, Okla., to Jan. 5, 2026, Waco, Texas; graduated St. Louis Seminary 2004. Served 2004-2018. Ministry/Parish: Rockport, Texas. Retired 2018. Preceded in death by his wife Kathleen (Butler) Wagstaff. Survivors: Rita Wagstaff; sons: Nathan Garner, Alan; daughters: Melissa, Tonya. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 9, 2026, Waco, Texas.
ZAHN, CARLETON EDWARD REV., June 29, 1938, Minneapolis, Minn., to Nov. 26, 2025, New Hope, Minn.; son of Clarence and Harriet (Lundberg) Zahn; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1964. Served 1964-2003. Ministries/Parishes: Tracy, Marshall, Mankato, Robbinsdale, Minn. Big Rapids, Mich. Retired 2003. Survivors: Zelda (Gades) Zahn; son: Steven; daughters: Heidi Werries, Nancy Vargo. Celebration of Life: Jan. 24, 2026, Plymouth, Minn.
COMMISSIONED
BREDEHOEFT, KATHRYN JOANNE (VOGTS), Nov. 13, 1948, Goessel, Kan., to Aug. 9, 2025, Kansas City, Mo.; daughter of Leroy and Ruth (Meyer) Vogts; graduated Seward 1970. Served 2004-2013. School/Ministry: Kansas City, Mo. Retired 2013. Preceded in death by her husband Larry Werth. Survivors: Dennis Bredehoeft; son: Michael Manley; daughter: Shannon Manley; stepsons: Sean Manley, Travis Manley, Brad Werth; stepdaughters: Julie Knapp, Kelly Harris, Karla Fraas. Funeral: Aug. 15, 2025, Kansas City, Mo.; Interment: Aug. 15, 2025, Gladstone, Mo.
CLEGG, ROBERT JAMES, Sept. 14, 1935, Chicago, Ill., to Mar. 8, 2025, Searcy, Ark.; son of John and Elsie (Zelenski) Clegg; graduated River Forest 1960. Served 1965-2000. Schools/Ministries: Winfield, Kan.; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2000. Survivors: Geraldine (Dau) Clegg; sons: Mark, Thomas; daughter: Jean Waldrop. Funeral and Interment: Mar. 14, 2025, Searcy, Ark.
COFFIN, STEPHANIE LYNN, June 7, 1982, San Diego, Calif., to Nov. 9, 2025, Las Vegas, Nev.; daughter of Mark and Pamela (Bauer) Coffin; graduated Irvine 2005. Served 2005-2025. Schools/Ministries: Yuma, Ariz.; Las Vegas, Nev. Funeral: Dec. 13, 2025, Las Vegas, Nev.
DORING, LOIS RUTH (PROKOPY), March 16, 1933, Albany, N.Y.; to Dec. 6, 2025, Calif.; daughter of Rev. Paul and Mathilde (Erdmann) Prokopy; graduated River Forest 1957. Served 1984-2002. School/Ministry: Stanhope, N.J. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by her husband Rev. Arthur Doring. Survivors: son: David; daughter: Lisa. Memorial Service: Dec. 20, 2025, Stanhope, N.J.; Interment: Brooklyn, N.Y.
HAUER, RAYMOND PETER JR., Aug. 1, 1942, New Prague, Minn.; to Mar. 23, 2025, Spring Hill, Tenn.; son of Raymond and Ethel (Erickson) Hauer; graduated Seward 1965. Served 1965-1987, 1988-2004. Schools/Ministries: Houston, Texas; St. Paul, Minn.; Racine, Wis.; Huntsville, Ala. Retired 2012. Survivors: Erika (Powilleit) Hauer; sons: Peter, Bryan; daughter: Nicole Sponsel. Memorial Service: April 12, 2025, Thompsons Station, Tenn.; Interment: April 12, 2025, Spring Hill, Tenn.
HELDMAN, SANDRA JOANNE (LOOSE), May 30, 1943, Bellwood, Ill., to July 3, 2025; daughter of Robert and Martha (Schuppe) Loose; graduated River Forest 1965. Served 1990-2008. School/Ministry: Brunswick, Ohio. Retired 2008. Preceded in death by her husband Donald Heldman. Survivors: son: Brian; daughter: Rebecca Shuluga. Memorial Service and Interment: July 18, 2025, Valley City, Ohio.
LIST, VICKY L. (SCHREINER), Sept. 26, 1960, Saginaw, Mich., to Dec. 31, 2025, Frankenmuth, Mich.; daughter of James and Virginia Schreiner; graduated River Forest 1982. Served 1982-1985, 1997-2020. Schools/Ministries: Flint, Frankenmuth, Mich. Retired 2020. Survivors: Frank List; sons: Aaron, Jared; daughter: Terese Cook. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 6, 2026, Frankenmuth, Mich.
MALZAHN, ROBERT WAYNE DR., Aug. 27, 1949, Pontiac, Mich., to Oct. 7, 2025, Texas; son of Russ and Betty Malzahn; graduated Seward 1971. Served 1972- 2014. Schools/Ministries: Jacksonville, Ill.; Dallas, Austin, Arlington, Ft. Worth, Texas; St. Charles, Mo.; Baltimore, Md.; Tacoma, Wa. Retired 2014. Survivors: Ellen (Wagman) Malzahn; daughters: Sheri Luedemann, Stephanie Lockingen. Funeral: Oct. 13, 2025, Colleyville, Texas; Interment: Oct. 13, 2025, Keller, Texas.
MAROLF, SHIRLEY ANN (HAERTEL), Jan. 13, 1932, Oak Park, Ill., to April 27, 2025, Davenport, Iowa; daughter of Herbert and Helen (Engbrecht) Haertel; graduated River Forest 1967. Served 1974-1995. School/Ministry: Davenport, Iowa. Retired 1995. Preceded in death by her husband Arnold Marolf. Survivors: daughters: Gail McCarthy, Karen Lambert, Rachel Strader. Funeral: May 2, 2025, Davenport, Iowa; Interment: May 2, 2025, Rock Island, Ill.
MORRIS, EDWARD WILLIAM, Oct. 27, 1957, Enid, Okla., to Jan. 8, 2026, Oklahoma City, Okla.; son of Melvin and Geraldine (Mohlenbrink) Morris; graduated Seward 1996. Served 1997-2018. Schools/Ministries: Fallon, Nev.; Tulsa, Okla. Retired 2024. Celebration of Life: Jan. 13, 2026, Enid, Okla.; Interment: Jan. 13, 2026, Breckenridge, Okla.
OESTMANN, MARVIN P., Jan. 19, 1942, Arkansas City, Kan., to Nov. 16, 2025, Aurora, Colo.; son of Ernest and Martha Oestmann; colloquy Seward 1969. Served 1969-2005. Schools/Ministries: Independence, Mo.; Detroit, Mich.; Ft. Lauderdale, Stuart, Fla.; Aurora, Colo. Retired 2005. Survivors: daughters: Rebecca, Sara. Funeral: Dec. 19, 2025, Centennial, Colo.
SKVARENINA, JOSEPH LEE, Feb. 26, 1948, Canton, Ohio, to Sept. 16, 2025, Greenfield, Ind.; son of Joseph and Marjorie (Halther) Skvarenina; colloquy River Forest 1997. Served 1998-2012. Schools/Ministries: Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Ind. Retired 2012. Preceded in death by his wife Cheryl (Kingery) Skvarenina and his daughter Katherine. Survivors: daughter: Leigh Dickey; stepson: Troy Roberts. Funeral and Inurnment: Oct. 10, 2025, Greenfield, Ind.
VANICK, EDWARD W., Feb. 27, 1947, Chicago, Ill., to Dec. 14, 2025, Roseville, Mich.; graduated River Forest 1969. Served 1969-2013. Schools/Ministries: New Orleans, La.; Des Plaines, Ill.; Eastpointe, Mich. Retired 2013. Survivors: Donna (Duehring) Vanick; daughter: Heather Socia. Funeral: Dec. 19, 2025, Troy, Mich.; Interment: Dec. 19, 2025, Clinton Township, Mich.
