R Ervin Walther

Rev. Royal Ervin Walther, Erv aged 71, passed from this life to a cancer-free home with his Lord and savior on September 21, 2006 at Valley View Care Center, Fremont, OH. He was born on December 22, 1934 in Hickory, NC to the now deceased Rev. R. E. Walther, Sr. and Pauline (Goodman) Walther Carroll. He also lived in the Bronx, NY and Charleston, WV, the sites of his fathers congregations. He graduated from Greenbrier Military School, Lewisburg, WV in 1953. He attended Davidson College, NC and graduated from Morris Harvey College in 1957, where he met his wife to be. He then attended the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, OH and did his year of internship at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Fremont. He returned to graduate and was ordained by Dean Edward Fendt in Charlest on, WV in 1961. He married Virginia (Pendleton) Walther, Penny, January 23, 1959 and she survives. With Gods direction he started two mission congregations Resurrection Lutheran Church, Weirton, WV and Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Worthington, OH. He was called to St. Johns Lutheran Church in Fremont, where he interned and then pastored for 23 years. He retired in June 2001 after 40 years of full time ministry and then served as an interim pastor in three churches Bethlehem L.C. in Attica, OH, Zion L.C. in Gibsonburg, OH and Resurrection L.C. in Sandusky, OH. Serving others in Gods name was his life calling and this included many city, state and national committees for the church and community including the Fremont City Schools Board, Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, YMCA Board, Lutheran Social Services and the Church Synod committees. He enjoyed golfing with friends, playing softball in his younger years, refereeing basketball in Worthington and Fremont schools and singing in the church choir. Left to cherish his memories are his wife Virginia (Penny) Pendleton Walther; sons Timothy (Robin) of Dundee, MI and Mark (Lisa) of Fremont, OH; six grandchildren, brother, Jonathan (Cynthia) Walther Carroll of Tequesta, FL; a stepbrother, Rick (Bobbi) Carroll of VA; stepsisters, Hilary Heijman, Marcia Peterson, both of CT; four aunts, Peg Radcliffe, Velma Van Deest, Dorothy Wickham of the Comumbus, OH area and Edna Seitz of Newton, MC; and many cousins, nieces and nephews all survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, Rev. Charles Carroll, a sister, Theodocia, who died as a baby, and two uncles, Henry Seitz and Fred Goodman of Newton, NC. Friends may visit at the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 900 North St., on Sunday, September 24 from 1-4 & 6-9 p.m. A service of resurrection celebration and communion will be Monday, Sept. 25 at 10:30 a.m. with one hour visitation prior to the service at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 212 N. Clover St., Fremont, OH with Bishop Marcus Lohrmann presiding. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider: St. Johns Lutheran Church, 212 N. Clover St., Fremont, OH 43420, Fremont City Schools, Cedar St., Fremont, OH, Memorial Hospital Foundation, Fremont, OH; or Lutheran Social Services of Northwest Ohio, 2149 Collinwood Blvd, Toledo, OH. The family is grateful for the prayers, cards, visits, food and calls from caring people who show their love and concern at needed times. This is what Christ has taught to love one another as we would do for ourselves.