Pastor William David Wolfe
William David Wolfe, 78, died Friday, April 29 at his home in Vero beach FL, with family at his side. He was born May 10, 1932 in Willard, OH to Harold and Freda Wolfe, both deceased. He was a 1954 graduate of Capital University, Columbus, OH and a 1958 graduate of Trinity Seminary, Columbus, OH. Pastor Wolfes internship year of 1956-57 was spent at Stewart Avanue Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, PA where he met and on August 4, 1957, married Barbara J. Nee Campbell.
He served congregations in PA, OH MI and FL, spending 18 years in the Michigan District of The American Lutheran Church (now the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). He was elected Vice President of the Michigan District serving two terms, and was a member of the District Council and its Executive Committee. Pastor Wolfe was the Mission Developer for two congregations, the first in 1967 in Livonia, MI. In 1985 he was called to be the Mission Developer of Living Lord Lutheran Church, Vero Beach. He celebrated 50 years of ordained ministry June 8, 2008.
Pastor Wolfe retired from Living Lord in 1995. The congregation honored him with the title Pastor Emeritus and named the fellowship hall The William D. Wolfe Fellowship Hall. At the 25th anniversary of Living Lord a Proclamation was read proclaiming April 3, 2011 Pastor Emeritus William and Barbara Wolfe Appreciation Day.
Pastor Wolfe was a former member of Rotary International, Kiwanis, and Torch Club of Toledo, OH. He was a member of the Vero Beach Museum of Art and Riverside Theatre.
During the summer, Pastor Wolfe, along with his wife, enjoyed their condo on Sugar Mountain, NC. He grew up an avid Cleveland Indians fan, and also began following the LA Dodgers after moving to Vero Beach. He liked all types of music and was a serious reader.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara; son John (Jill) of Sebastian; daughter Gretchen Schwartz (Terry) of Vero Beach; brother Robert (Ruth Anne) of Willard, OH; sisters Floretta Spargo (Bill) of Mesa, AZ; and Diana Gease of North Fort Myers Beach. Survived by six grandchildren, Megan Wolfe Thimmer (James), Erin Wolfe, Kathryn Wolfe, Zachary Schwartz (Bonny), Joshua Schwartz, Cory Schwartz, and one great-grandson, Keaton Thimmer.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, Pastor Wolfes 79th birthday. Inurnment will be in the churchs Columbarium Garden.
Memorial contributions may be made to Living Lord Lutheran Church, 2725-58th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32966.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida. Condolences may be sent through www.coxgiffordseawinds.com