Merlen Wegener

Merlen Fred Wegener passed away February 4, 2025, at age 88. 

Merlen was born August 24, 1936 in the farmhouse on the family farm in Evansville, Illinois, the youngest child of Henry and Minnie (Hanebutt) Wegener.  He was baptized September 25, 1936, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Evansville.  He was confirmed March 18, 1951, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Baldwin, Illinois.

On June 3, 1962 he was married to Nancy Lee Scherer at Hope Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri.  Their union was blessed with two sons.  Duane Theodore was born March 18, 1966 and Joel Thomas was born July 17, 1967.

Merlen began his preparation for the pastoral ministry at St. Paul's College in Concordia, Missouri.  He continued his training at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1960 he enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.  Following a year of internship at Grace Lutheran Church in Dewitt, Iowa, he graduated from Concordia Seminary in 1964.  He was ordained as a pastor June 28, 1964.  He served pastorates at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Winona, Minnesota, Faith Lutheran in Union City, Tennessee and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Farmington, Missouri.  Following his retirement December 31, 1998, he served as assistant to the pastors at St. James Lutheran Church in Lafayette, Indiana for eleven years.  Following a move to Columbus, Ohio, in 2010, he kept busy as a substitute pastor in area congregations.

In addition to their two sons, Merlen and Nancy were blessed with daughters-in-law Laura and Kim, grandchildren, Jonathan and his wife, Laura, & Rachel and her husband, Cameron Long.  They were also blessed with step-grandchildren, Kyle Morris (Megan) and Tiffany Young (Cameron) as well as step-great-grandchildren, Kendall, Colby, Harrison, Calvin and Bryan.  Merlen was very proud of his numerous nephews and nieces and their families.

Merlen is survived by his wife of over 62 years.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Valetha Koester and her husband Oscar, sister, Laura Rowold and her husband Herman, brother, Otis and his wife Bernadine and brother, Norbert.  He was also preceded in death by nephews Oliver Koester and Omar Koester.

Merlen was always grateful for Nancy's help and encouragement.  With her at his side, he continued to preach and teach the Gospel as long as his health allowed.  Teaching the Word of God was his primary purpose in life.

In addition to his pastoral work, Merlen was devoted to his woodworking hobby. He used his woodworking skills to benefit his family and friends and the congregations and schools he served.

Visitation will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, 6135 Rings Road, in Dublin from 5:00PM to 7:00PM on Friday, February 7, and from 9:00AM to 10:00AM on Saturday, February 8, 2025.  The funeral service will begin at 10:00AM. Burial will follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery.  Following the burial, a luncheon will be held at St. John's for family and friends.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO. 63105 or St. John Lutheran Church, 6135 Rings Road, Dublin, OH. 43106.