Obituary: Rev. Dr. Alvin V. Kollmann, former Southern Illinois District president

Kollmann as district president in 1991.

The Rev. Dr. Alvin Victor Kollmann, who served as president of the LCMS Southern Illinois District (SID) from 1976 to 1994, died October 7 in Collinsville, Ill. He was 88.

SID President Rev. Timothy J. Scharr said, “President Kollmann served his entire ministry within southern Illinois. He dearly loved the people he served and was always outreach oriented.

“Most of all, he loved being a pastor. … Declining health was the only reason he officially retired a few years ago.”

Kollmann was born Nov. 7, 1929, in Royal, Iowa. He received his Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1954 and 1958, respectively.

His first call was to St. Paul Lutheran Church in West Frankfort, Ill., where he served from 1954 to 1959.  He was the founding pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Collinsville, Ill., serving there for 19 years.

He was elected second vice-president of the SID in 1970 and first vice-president in 1974. He became district president in 1976.

Kollmann was awarded an honorary doctorate by Concordia University, St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn., in 1981.

After his retirement as district president in 1994, Kollmann served as part-time minister for Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Ill.

During his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid Cardinals fan.

Rev. Dr. Herbert C. Mueller Jr., LCMS first vice-president and former SID president, said, “Dr. Alvin Kollmann was a good friend, a valued colleague in ministry and a faithful pastor to many. He served as district president in southern Illinois during turbulent times in our Synod, stepping into the office when his predecessor resigned.

“God used Dr. Kollmann’s wise and steady leadership to hold the Southern Illinois District together and to bring peace during the late 1970s, and then to help it grow in the 1980s, planting several new congregations during that time.

“I was saddened to hear of his death but rejoice in the hope of the resurrection as Dr. Kollmann is now with the Lord Jesus, hearing the Master say, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’ May Jesus give his family and friends comfort and strength in their time of sorrow.”

Kollmann was preceded in death by his wife, Jacquelin, and his parents, Victor and Elda (Schneider) Kollmann.

He is survived by his sisters, Margaret Stripling and Carmen Nielson of LuVerne, Iowa; his children, the Rev. Dr. Victor J. (Angela) Kollmann of Plano, Texas; Sue C. Carney of Collinsville, Ill.; Dr. Kenneth S. (Sherry) Kollmann of Collinsville, Ill.; Richard A. Kollmann of Collinsville, Ill.; and David E. Kollmann of Collinsville, Ill; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation is set for 4–7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1300 Beltline Road, Collinsville, Ill.

A funeral service will be held at Good Shepherd at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, with the Rev. Dr. Victor Kollmann, the Rev. Michael Walther and the Rev. Scott Adle officiating. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Collinsville, Ill.

Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home.

Visit the funeral home’s website for more information and to sign the guestbook.

Posted Oct. 15, 2018