In Memoriam
Rev. Dr. Jerry L. Schmalenberger
January 23, 1934 - April 25, 2022

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend, Pastor, Professor, Mentor and Missionary, Rev. Dr. Jerry Lew Schmalenberger’s humor and zest for life will be remembered long after his death on April 25, 2022. Pastor Jerry, as he liked to be called, passed away at the age of 88 after a courageous battle with Dementia and Parkinsonism. Jerry had enjoyed traveling, boating, skiing, writing, sharing the word of God, poetry and helping others. 

He was the Pastor of 5 congregations in Springfield, Bellefontaine, Tiffin and Mansfield, Ohio, and St. John’s in Des Moines, Iowa. He was elected President and Professor of Practical Theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California 1988-1996. After retirement he taught for several more years at PLTS before serving 16 years as a Global Mission Volunteer for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, teaching in many countries including Indonesia, China/Hong Kong, Germany, Liberia West Africa, and 3 South American countries. He was pleased that 33 of his former students are now teaching Theology and he helped some of them by email from home. He was also the Author of 35 books and many articles, some of which were translated into Bahasa Indonesian, Spanish, or Chinese. 
 
Born at home in Greenville, Ohio, the son of Harry Henry and Lima Marie Hormell Schmalenberger, Jerry cherished vivid memories of his childhood with 5 years on their small farm, raising a pet pig, riding atop the hay wagon pulled by their pony with his cousins and older sister, Jane. During summers, he worked at the Synod’s Camp Mowana at Mansfield, first as a Counselor and then as the Nature Study Teacher. Later he became Program Director, spending 7 summers there. He was President of his junior and senior classes, took part in football, coaching Jr. High basketball, debate, speech, and drama activities. This was the beginning of his life-long habit of multi-tasking.
  
Jerry graduated from Wittenberg University with a B.A. in 1956; the on-campus Hamma School of Theology with Master of Divinity 1959 and Doctor of Ministry in 1976. Wittenberg also awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1983. He served on the Board of Directors of Wittenberg for 19 years.  
 
Following Seminary, Jerry was ordained on January 23, 1959 (his birthday) by the Synod of Ohio of the United Lutheran Church at Greenville, Ohio in his home church, St. Paul’s, where he was baptized and confirmed.
 
Following a love of teaching, Jerry began by finishing several courses in Wittenberg’s speech department after the sudden death of one of his professors. Later, he taught speech at Wittenberg in their management development program, at Urbana College, Sinclair College and Christian Education at Heidelberg College, all in Ohio. At PLTS he taught administration, homiletics (preaching), evangelism and stewardship. Bible study in his congregations was always offered.
 
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol Walthall Schmalenberger; his sister Doris Stickel (Ray); 3 natural children: Stephen Schmalenberger (Sheila Batt), Bethany Berger, and Sarah Layton Wallace (Steven); foster children, including Gene Schneider, Celia Mellad (Kirk), Marylynn Hartsel (Steven), Beatriz Simonassi, Lorpu Davies Wolofar (Isaac); and many grand and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents, older sister Jane Ross and sons Arthur Eubanks (Pam) and James Schneider (Robin).

Celebration of Life Service:
Monday, May 16, at 1:00 p.m. 
Weaver Chapel, Wittenberg University
200 W Ward St., Springfield, Ohio 45504
Jerry's ashes will be placed in the Garden columbarium of Ferncliff Cemetery at Springfield, Ohio,
near the campus.

His family has created a website to share stories and celebrate Rev. Jerry's life.

For those who wish to donate in Jerry's memory: 
  • Schmalenberger Scholarship Endowment at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary: P.O. Box 525, Berkeley, CA 94701 or PLTS.edu
  • Wittenberg University: P.O. Box 720, Springfield, Ohio 45501 or wittenberg.edu 
  • Friends of Lutheran Theological Seminary, Hong Kong: Send to "Books with Numbers c/o Mimi Borchers", 2730 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, CA 94509. Jerry raised funds for this organization.
  • Doctors Without Borders, whose work Jerry witnessed in his travels.
A Prayer from Bishop Megan Rohrer

We give thanks to God for the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Jerry L. Schmalenberger. For his faithful service with congregations in Ohio and Iowa, years as a Professor and President at PLTS, and service in countries all over the world. Send your blessings upon his family as they grieve his passing and may his witness live in the world beyond his time on Earth. May Pastor Jerry be granted rest eternal.
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