Rev. David Richard Koenig

The Rev. David R. Koenig of Defiance passed away August 10, 2018 at Glen Park Senior Living Community.  He was born March 26, 1928 in Garfield Heights, Ohio to Edward and Florence Koenig.  The Rev. Koenig served as pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Defiance from 1963 until his retirement in 1992.  He began his studies for the Lutheran ministry at Concordia College, Ft. Wayne where he attended both high school and college.  He then entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1952 and later received the degree of Master of Sacred Theology.
In 1952 he was married to Althea, nee Berning. and in 1953 accepted a call from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod to serve as missionary to India.  However, after Pastor and Mrs. Koenig had prepared for missionary duties, the Indian government closed their doors to new missionaries.  The couple then served two congregations in Elizabethton and Erwin, TN for 5 months before Pastor accepted a call as missionary at large to form a new congregation in Highland, IN.  During his nine years as Pastor of that congregation the church grew to over 500 communicant members.  In his 29 years as pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Pastor Koenig baptized 1032 people, confirmed 1109, performed 476 marriages, and officiated at 448 funerals.  He also filled leadership roles within the Lutheran Church Circuit and District.
Rev. Koenig is survived by a brother, Les Koenig of Brecksville OH and a sister, Lois Lodholz of Fifield WI, sons Michael (Terry) of Paulding, Mark of Richmond TX, and Andrew of Defiance, along with four grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife Althea, infant children Thomas and Cynthia, and sister Jayne Stohs. 
Visitation will be held Monday, August 13, 2018 from 2:00 to 8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance, and for one hour prior to services at the church.  Funeral services will be held on August 14, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. John Lutheran Church, Defiance, with Rev. Donald L. Luhring and Rev. Richard Habrecht officiating.  Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.  Memorials are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church Worship Anew (Worship for Shut-Ins) and The Lutheran Hour. 

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