IN MEMORIAM (June/July2026)
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
BECK, JOHN L. REV., Nov. 24, 1933, Sauk Rapids, Minn., to Feb. 27, 2026, Cromwell, Conn.; son of Rev. John and Gloria (Berwald) Beck; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1978. Ministries/Parishes: Washington, D.C.; Odenton, Gambrills, Md.; Middleton, Conn. Retired 1998. Survivors: Barbara (Seletzky) Beck; sons: John, Matthew; daughters: Christina, Rachel. Funeral: March 7, 2026, Meriden, Conn.
BODE, EDGAR WILLIAM JR. REV., Dec. 11, 1940, Wood Lake, Minn., to Jan. 17, 2026, Colorado Springs, Colo.; son of Edgar Sr. and Lydia (Hennig) Bode; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1968. Served 1968-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Babbitt, Odessa, Correll, Minn.; Hot Springs, S.D.; Ute, Iowa. Iowa West District Circuit Visitor 1991-1999. Retired 2001. Survivors: Helynn (Seltz) Bode; sons: Eric, Kirk; daughter: Beth Spitzer. Funeral: Jan. 29, 2026, Colorado Springs, Colo. Interment: Jan. 29, 2026.
CHENEY, ROBERT EARL REV., Dec. 23, 1936, Melrose Park, Ill., to Jan. 30, 2026, Tomball, Texas; son of Earl and Lydia (Woehler) Cheney; colloquy 1980. Served 1980-1999. Ministries/Parishes: Okawville, Ill.; San Jose, Calif.; Independence, Mo.; Bristol, Union City, Dyersburg, Tenn.; Cherokee Village, Ark. Missouri District Circuit Visitor 1988-1990; Mid-South District Circuit Visitor 1993-1994. Retired 1999. Survivors: Kay (Sipe) Cheney; sons: Mark, Paul. Funeral: Feb. 7, 2026, Tomball, Texas.
DAVIS, LARRY F. REV., May 19, 1942, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Dec. 13, 2025, Gainesville, Fla.; graduated Springfield Seminary 1968. Served 1968-1973, 1975-1982, 1988-1992, 1993-2001. Ministries/Parishes: Laredo, Nacogdoches, Texas; Mondovi, Oxford, Packwaukee, Wis.; Meridian, McComb, Miss.; Chiefland, Fla. Retired 2001. Survivors: Gayle Davis; son: Aaron; daughter: Rachael. cremation.
DISSEN, DAVID VICTOR REV., July 27, 1933, Garrison, N.D., to Feb. 19, 2026, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; son of Rev. Victor and Lydia (Baese) Dissen; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1959. Served 1959-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Salida, Colo.; Beloit, Wis.; Chicago, Ill.; Clearwater, Fla.; Cape Girardeau, Mo. Missouri District First Vice-President 1991-1994; Missouri District Second Vice-President 1994-2000. Retired 1998. Survivor: Judith (Bentrott) Dissen. Funeral: Feb. 27, 2026, Gordonville, Mo.; Interment: Lowden, Iowa.
ENG, EDWARD GEORGE REV., March 7, 1939, Ryder, N.D., to Dec. 13, 2025, Menifee, Calif.; son of William and Elizabeth (Fenley) Eng; colloquy 2001. Served 2018-2020. Ministry/Parish: Los Angeles, Calif. Retired 2020. Survivors: Marilyn (Adams) Eng; sons: Eric, Kevin; daughter: Michelle; stepdaughter: Michelle Fantasia. Funeral and Interment: Jan. 30, 2026, Riverside, Calif.
FOUNTAIN, DOUGLAS ELMORE REV. DR., June 29, 1947, Morristown, N.J., to Feb. 6, 2026; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1983. Served 1983-2013. Ministry/Parish: Lake Worth, Fla. Florida-Georgia District Circuit Visitor 2009-2013. Retired 2013. Survivors: Jane (Beard) Fountain; daughters: Dana Hart, Andrea Trevino, Shelley. Funeral: Feb. 28, 2026; Rockledge, Fla.; Inurnment: Feb. 28, 2026.
FRANZMEIER, WILBUR CARL REV., June 15, 1926, W. St. Paul, Minn., to Jan. 26, 2026, Rosemount, Minn.; son of John and Adella (Sell) Franzmeier; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1950. Served 1950-1989. Ministries/Parishes: Plentywood, Power, Mont.; Slayton, Hibbing, Sauk Rapids, Arden Hills, Minn. Montana District Circuit Visitor 1956. Minnesota North District First Vice-President 1970-1980. Minnesota South District Secretary 1986-1993. Retired 1989. Preceded in death by his wife Dolores (Schmidt) Franzmeier. Survivors: daughters: Faith Jonas, Hope Bauer, Janelle. Memorial Service: Jan. 30, 2026, Farmington, Minn.
FRIEDRICH, HENRY W.A. REV., May 26, 1928, Coon Rapids, Iowa, to Feb. 6, 2026, Algona, Iowa; son of Rev. Walter and Alma (Thraum) Friedrich; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1953. Served 1953-1994. Ministries/Parishes: Oakridge, The Dalles, Ore.; Quimby, Marcus, Charter Oak, Iowa; Jamestown, N.D. Iowa West District Circuit Visitor. North Dakota District Circuit Visitor 1980-1988. North Dakota District Secretary 1988-1994. Retired 1994. Preceded in death by his wife Evelyn (Meyer) Friedrich. Survivors: sons: Rev. Brian, Rev. Mark; daughters: Barbara King, Linda. Funeral and Interment: March 2, 2026, Algona, Iowa.
GEISLER, JEFFREY LYNN REV., Aug. 19, 1954, Greensburg, Ind., to Jan. 27, 2026, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; son of Delver and Virginia (McClure) Geisler; graduated Ft. Wayne 1997. Served 1997-2020. Ministries/Parishes: Brownstown, Ft. Wayne, Ind. Retired 2020. Survivors: Vicky (Truex) Geisler; son: Jared; daughter: Jessica. Funeral: Feb. 3, 2026, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
HEITNER, DAVID D. REV., July 4, 1950, Pigeon, Mich., to Feb. 4, 2026, Yukon, Okla.; son of Rev. Donald and Mildred (Hoffman) Heitner; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1986. Served 1986-2006, 2007-2025. Ministries/Parishes: Duncan, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Herndon, Pa.; Owego, N.Y. Retired 2025. Survivors: Christine (Romans) Heitner; sons: Andrew, Philip; daughters: Erin Masser, Gretchen Zollbrecht, Allison Thompson, Katherine Bodyston. Funeral: Feb. 11, 2026, Duncan, Okla; Interment: Feb. 11, 2026, Oklahoma City, Okla.
HOFFMANN, GREGORY EDWARD REV., March 26, 1956, Winona, Minn., to Feb. 22, 2026, Lake Geneva, Wis.; son of Donald and Marion Hoffmann; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1982. Served 1982-2001, 2004-2023. Ministries/Parishes: Haxtun, Crook, Colo.; Chicago, Roscoe, Rochelle, Ill.; Green Bay, Wis. Retired 2023. Survivors: Tina (Anstett) Hoffmann; sons: Jason, David, Eric, Brandon; daughters: Sara, Ashley, Caitlyn. Funeral: Feb. 28, 2026, Woodstock, Ill.
HULLINGER, ROBERT NEIL REV., Oct. 8, 1933, Grand Island, Neb., to March 6, 2026, Cincinnati, Ohio; son of Earl and Peggy (Whitaker) Hullinger; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1958. Served 1958-1966, 1969-1986, 1990-1998. Ministries/Parishes: Auburn, Orangevale, Arroyo Grande, Calif.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Erlanger, Ky. Retired 1998. Preceded in death by his daughter Lisa. Survivors: Charlotte (Froehlich) Hullinger; son: Robert Jr.; daughter: Jennifer Dodd. Funeral: March 14, 2026, Cincinnati, Ohio.
KIETZMAN, HARVEY HOWARD REV., April 10, 1930, Herman, Minn., to Jan. 24, 2026, Brainerd, Minn.; son of Herman and Minnie (Miller) Kietzman; graduated Springfield Seminary 1972. Served 1972-1992, 1996-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Dunnell, Perham, Akeley, Minn. Minnesota North District Circuit Visitor 1996-1997. Retired 2021. Survivors: June (Werk) Kietzman; sons: Robert, Brian, Joshua; daughters: Janna, Laurel Langton, Cynthia Ungerecht. Funeral: Feb. 6, 2026, Akeley, Minn.
KRUMDIECK, GARY ALLEN REV., May 20, 1954, Eugene, Ore., to Dec. 3, 2025, E. Wenatchee, Wash., graduated St. Louis Seminary 2014. Served 2014-2024. Ministries/Parishes: Sutherlin, Ore.; Deer Lodge, Mont.; E. Wenatchee, Wash. Retired 2024. Survivors: Laura (Hansen) Krumdieck; son: Justin; daughters: Jeanette Floyd, Samantha Shaw. Memorial Service: Jan. 24, 2026, E. Wenatchee, Wash.
LAUE, RONALD HENRY REV., July 12, 1937, Fairmont, Minn., to Feb. 9, 2026, Erie, Pa.; son of Henry and Laura (Westphal) Laue; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1963. Served 1963-2004. Ministries/Parishes: Anchorage, Kenai, Glenallen, Alaska; Bellevue, Wash.; Aberdeen, S.D. Retired 2004. Survivors: Carol (Schneider) Laue; son: Michael; daughter: Sara Beilharz. Funeral: Feb. 21, 2026, Erie, Pa.; Inurnment: Erie, Pa.
MCVEY, DANIEL JOHN REV., June 21, 1952, Jackson, Mich., to Feb. 4, 2026, Alden, Mich.; son of William and Maxine (Kable) McVey; colloquy 1982. Served 1982-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Centreville, Mancelona, Pinckney, Mich. Retired 2015. Survivors: Marjorie (Higgins) McVey; son: William; daughter: Mary Buschmann. Funeral: Feb. 21, 2026, Kalkaska, Mich.
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. Funeral: Feb. 14, 2026, Memphis, Tenn.
NICKEL, TIMOTHY MARK REV., Oct. 16, 1944, Wyandotte, Mich., to Jan. 4, 2026, Elkton, Fla.; son of Rev. Edmund and Edna (Krueger) Nickel; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1970. Served 1970-2009. Ministries/Parishes: Gowanda, Hamlin, N.Y.; Scranton, Ridley Park, Pa.; KYRGYSTAN. Retired 2009. Survivors: Marguerite (Conrad) Nickel; sons: Jason, Joshua; daughters: Rachel, Leah. Funeral: Jan. 9, 2026, St. Augustine, Fla.
PAAVOLA, DANIEL EDWIN REV. DR., Aug. 3, 1956, Wadena, Minn., to March 2, 2026, Milwaukee, Wis.; son of Edwin and Linda (Nikkari) Paavola; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1984. Served 1984-2024. Ministries/Parishes: Butternut, Mequon, Cedarburg, Saukville, Wis. Survivors: Holly (Orvedahl) Paavola; son: Stephen; daughters: Christy, Nicole Janda. Funeral: March 7, 2026, Cedarburg, Wis.
PRAEUNER, DANIEL CHARLES REV., June 15, 1948, Norfolk, Neb., to Jan. 7, 2026, Ranchester, Wyo.; son of Carl and Ann (Heybrock) Praeuner; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1993. Served 1993-2018. Ministries/Parishes: Red Cloud, Neb.; Riverton, Pine Bluffs, Wyo.; Roswell, N.M. Rocky Mountain District Circuit Visitor 2012-2015. Retired 2018. Preceded in death by his wife Roxanne Praeuner. Survivors: Patricia Praeuner; daughters: Lynn Penton, Carrie Huneke. Funeral: Jan. 17, 2026, Sheridan, Wyo.; Interment: Battle Creek, Neb.
REINBACHER, OTTO ALFRED REV., Jan. 9, 1938, Chicago, Ill., to March 8, 2026, Arlington, Va.; son of Otto and Martha (Massat) Reinbacher; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1961. Served 1961-1988, 1990-2006. Ministries/Parishes: Gordon, Rushville, Neb.; Flemington, Hackettstown, N.J. New Jersey District Circuit Visitor 1991-1999. Retired 2006. Survivors: Catherine (Kerbs) Reinbacher; daughters: Catherine Toohey, Karen Lamb. Celebration of Life: April 10, 2026, Falls Church, Va.; Interment: Washington, D.C.
RHIVER, JAMES WILLIAM REV., Sept. 14, 1939, St. Louis, Mo., to Feb. 13, 2026, St. Louis, Mo.; son of George and Marie Rhiver; colloquy 1981. Served 1981-1992, 1993-2005. Ministries/Parishes: St. Louis, Hillsboro, Mexico, Mo. Retired 2005. Survivors: Pearl (Heihn) Rhiver; daughters: Bettyjean Bonn, Kyrstin Nelson. Memorial Service and Interment: Feb. 28, 2026, St. Louis, Mo.
ROBINSON, ANTHONY I. SR. REV., July 27, 1962, Camden, Ala, to Feb. 17, 2026, Montgomery, Ala.; son of Joe and Ledell Robinson; colloquy 2013. Served 2013-2026. Ministries/Parishes: Tuscaloosa, Arlington, Ala. Survivors: sons: Anthony Jr., Antorrie; daughter: Kimberly.
SCHRIEBER, PAUL LOUIS REV. DR., April 29, 1949, Red Bud, Ill., to March 5, 2026, St. Louis, Mo.; son of Oliver and Florence (Mueller) Schrieber; graduated Springfield Seminary 1976. Served 1976-2001. Ministries/Parishes: River Forest, Ill.; St. Louis, Mo. Retired 2001. Preceded in death by his son Mark and daughters Deborah and Rachel. Survivors: sons: Jonathan, Matthew; daughters: Katherine, Sarah, Rebekah Morris. Funeral and Interment: March 13, 2026, Red Bud, Ill.
SOLTIS, THOMAS REV., May 16, 1931, Larksville, Pa., to Feb. 13, 2026, Parma, Ohio; son of George and Anna (Hricko) Soltis; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1996. Ministries/Parishes: Lorain, Parma, Ohio; Yonkers, Hudson, N.Y. SELC District Secretary 1988-1997. Retired 1996. Preceded in death by his wife Carolyn (Trinklein) Soltis. Survivors: son: Gregory; daughter: Gretchen. Interment: Hanover Twp., Pa.
STRADE, BRUCE B. REV., Aug. 2, 1940, Milan, Wis., to Dec. 2, 2025, Portland, Ore.; son of Ben and Nora (Huebner) Strade; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1966. Served 1966-2005. Ministry/Parish: Portland, Ore. Retired 2005. Preceded in death by his wife Kathleen (Kohl) Strade. Survivors: son: Sean; daughters: Stephanie, Stacey. Memorial Service: Jan. 10, 2026, Portland, Ore.
THIEL, STEVEN E. REV., May 14, 1954, Laramie, Wyo., to March 1, 2026, Freeland, Mich.; son of Allen and Joyce (Rush) Thiel; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1992. Served 1992-2021. Ministries/Parishes: Deer Park, Wa.; St. Charles, Portage, Grayling, Lewiston, Mich. Retired 2021. Survivors: Susan (Roberts) Thiel; sons: Robert, Adam; daughter: Rachel Busch. Funeral: March 7, 2026, Bay City, Mich.
VAN PATTEN, PAUL LYLE JR. REV. DR., Nov. 16, 1946, Glendale, Calif., to Sept. 18, 2025, New Haven, Ind.; son of Paul and Florence (Hoffman) Van Patten; graduated Ft. Wayne Seminary 1996. Served 1996-1998. Ministry/Parish: Woodward, Okla. Retired 2017.
WENDT, ERNEST CHARLES REV., Sept. 12, 1940, Detroit, Mich., to Jan. 31, 2026; son of Charles and Hattie (Piaskowski) Wendt; colloquy 1985. Served 1986-2002. Ministries/Parishes: Palms, Sawyer, Sebewaing, Mich. Michigan District Circuit Visitor 1997-1998. Retired 2002. Preceded in death by his wife Marilyn Szulczewski. Survivors: Adam-Henry, Andrew-Nathan, Jon-Martin. Funeral: Feb. 5, 2026, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Interment: Livonia, Mich.
WETZEL, OLIVER HUGO REV., July 25, 1931, Thiensville, Wis., to Nov. 9, 2025, Libertyville, Ill.; son of Martin and Milda (Frenz) Wetzel; graduated St. Louis Seminary 1956. Served 1956-1988. Ministries/Parishes: Monahans, Texas; US Navy Chaplain. Retired 1990. Preceded in death by his wife Margaret (Mayer) Wetzel. Survivors: sons: Thomas, James; daughter: Susan Kovarick. Funeral: Dec. 22, 2025, Libertyville, Ill.; Interment: Dec. 22, 2025, Ft. Sheridan, Ill.
ZIEGLER, LARRY ELLWOOD REV., June 21, 1946, Denver, Colo., to Feb. 1, 2026, Castle Rock, Colo.; son of Wesley and Shirley Ziegler; graduated Springfield Seminary 1973. Served 1973-2014. Ministries/Parishes: Kemmerer, Wyo.; Terra Bella, Calif.; Castle Rock, Elizabeth, Colo. Retired 2014. Survivors: Carolyn (Jost) Ziegler; son: Erich; daughters: Kirsten Pratt, Mollie Hemingway. Funeral: Feb. 7, 2026, Parker, Colo.; Interment: Feb. 7, 2026, Castle Rock, Colo.
COMMISSIONED
BARR, ANDREW K., Dec. 13, 1938, Chicago, Ill., to March 5, 2026, Joliet, Ill.; son of Andrew and Marie (Schwandt) Barr; graduated River Forest 1962. Served 1962-1994. Schools/Ministries: Chicago, Blue Island, Ill. Retired 1994. Survivor: Audrey (Israel) Barr. Celebration of Life: March 12, 2026, Plainfield, Ill.; Interment: March 12, 2026, Oak Lawn, Ill.
BENNETT, ELISABETH ANN (KUGEL BEHREND), Oct. 19, 1942, Brenham, Texas, to Dec. 24, 2025, Dallas, Texas; daughter of Paul and Audrey (Jones) Kugel; graduated Seward 1963. Served 1975-2006. School/Ministry: Dallas, Texas. Retired 2006. Survivors: Paul Bennett; son: Scott Behrend. Celebration of Life: Jan. 24, 2026, Dallas, Texas.
BRANDT, DWAINE CHARLES DR., June 12, 1935, Gurley, Neb., to Jan. 31, 2026, Tualatin, Ore.; son of Edwin and Marie (Beckmann) Brandt; colloquy Seward 1966. Served 1967-1999. School/Ministry: Portland, Ore. Retired 1999. Preceded in death by his wife Rachel Kriefall. Survivors: sons: Jonathan, Timothy, Michael. Memorial Service: May 2, 2026, Portland, Ore.; Interment: May 1, 2026, Portland, Ore.
BRESEMANN, LINDA G., Aug. 18, 1947, Chicago, Ill., to Jan. 24, 2026, Frankenmuth, Mich.; daughter of Howard and Melba Houren; graduated River Forest 1969. Served 1980-2013. Schools/Ministries: Elm Grove, Wis.; Frankenmuth, Mich. Retired 2013. Survivors: Perry Bresemann; sons: Jon, Brian. Memorial Service: Feb. 6, 2026, Frankenmuth, Mich.
ELFMAN, DAVID HENRY, Aug. 12, 1946, Monterey Park, Calif., to Sept. 10, 2025, Riverside, Calif.; graduated Seward 1968. Served 1968-1972, 1974-2012. Schools/Ministries: Cleveland Heights, Ohio; Orange, Calif. Retired 2012. Survivor: Carolyn Elfman.
FISCHER, DENNIS H., Nov. 9, 1947, Saginaw, Mich., to Feb. 17, 2026; Frankenmuth, Mich.; son of Harold and Esther (Meyer) Fischer; graduated Seward 1970. Served 1970-2004. Schools/Ministries: Eastpointe, Richville, Mich. Retired 2004. Funeral: March 7, 2026, Richville, Mich.
GALLMEIER, EDWARD CHARLES, March 26, 1934, Vernon, Texas, to March 3, 2026, Belleair Bluffs, Fla.; son of William and Emily (Graf) Gallmeier; graduated Seward 1962. Served 1962-1999. School/Ministry: Houston, Texas. Retired 1999. Survivors: Elizabeth (Huber) Gallmeier; daughter: Ann Skilton. Celebration of Life: March 28, 2026, Houston, Texas.
HOWARD, KAREN JEAN (KROLL), Aug. 13, 1953, Milwaukee, Wis., to Feb. 12, 2026, Sheboygan, Wis.; daughter of Eugene and Elizabeth (Schneider) Kroll; graduated River Forest 1975. Served 1997-2017. School/Ministry: Sheboygan, Wis. Retired 2017. Survivors: Kenneth Howard; sons: Joel, Joshua; daughters: Jamie Bitterman, Kirsten Jackson. Memorial Service and Interment: Feb. 27, 2026, Sheboygan, Wis.
MEISSNER, HERBERT W., Dec. 3, 1944, to Dec. 15, 2025, N. Tonawanda, N.Y.; son of Herbert and Esther Meissner; graduated River Forest 1968. Served 1968-2013. Schools/Ministries: Beecher, Ill.; N. Tonawanda, N.Y. Retired 2013. Preceded in death by his wife Jan Meissner. Survivors: sons: Doug, Daniel; daughters: Kelly Carney, Katie Gundell. Funeral: Dec. 23, 2025, N. Tonawanda, N.Y.; Interment: Dec. 23, 2025, W. Seneca, N.Y.
MEYER, JANET CAROL, March 5, 1947, Howells, Neb., to Feb. 10, 2026, Georgetown, Texas; daughter of Herman and Regina Meyer; graduated Seward 1968. Served 1995-2012. School/Ministry: Walburg, Texas. Retired 2012. Preceded in death by her husband Walter Meyer. Survivors: sons: Jonathan, Joel; daughters: Jennifer Tanner, Jill. Celebration of Life: Feb. 16, 2026, Walburg, Texas; Interment: Walberg, Texas.
SCHIPPER, STUART P., Nov. 10, 1946, Ionia, Mich., to June 3, 2025, Fairport, N.Y.; son of Victor and Francis Schipper; graduated St. Paul 1977. Served 1978-1982,1983-2003. Schools/Ministries: Elkhart, Ind.; Stockton, Calif.; Hilton, N.Y.; Aiea, Wahiawa, Hawaii; Eastpointe, Mich. Retired 2005. Survivors: Nancy Schipper; son: William; daughters: Christine, Julie.
SCHROEDER, LINDA JOYCE, March 23, 1943, Chicago, Ill., to Nov. 12, 2025, Chattanooga, Tenn.; daughter of Roy and Elsie Schroeder; graduated Seward 1965. Served 1974-2011. School/Ministry: Chattanooga, Tenn. Retired 2011. Celebration of Life and Interment: Nov. 16, 2025, Chattanooga, Tenn.
