Theodore L. Menter

Theodore L. Menter died on January 8, 2020 at 10:00am. He was born in Toledo, Ohio on February 19, 1928. His parents were Harley H. and Ester W (Martin) Menter. He married Margaret A Hurdlebrink on August 27, 1950. He earned two degrees from Capital University, a Bachelor of Arts (1950), and Bachelor of Divinity (1954). He was ordained a pastor in the American Lutheran Church on June 13, 1954. As a pastor he served congregations in Fulton, Maryland (Saint Paul’s), Niagara Falls, NY (Saint Paul’s), Woodhaven, MI (Center for Christian Service, later Salem Lutheran) and in Port Huron, MI (Saint Martin).

While in Fulton, Saint Paul’s began a new mission which became the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Laurel, MD. In Niagara Falls the Women of the Church organized a Meals on Wheels program for the community. In Woodhaven, MI the goal of the national church was to develop a plan where several congregations would share a building. The local Roman Catholic Community and the Lutheran community were ready to embark on the venture when the Bishop of Detroit Diocese killed the idea by fiat. In Port Huron the congregation brought together several meal programs under one roof and organized the Mid City Nutrition Program. All of the local programs were suggested by members of the congregations, not the pastor.

In Woodhaven and Port Huron a clown ministry developed wherein Clowns, Clowns, Clowns, a cadre of fifteen clowns took ministry in the form of nonverbal worship service to many congregations. They also ministered nonverbally in nursing homes and hospitals.

He served the larger church on the pension boards of the American Lutheran Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church from 1974 until 1990. He always told fellow pastors, “When you go to the dentist, thank me that the pension program pays some of your bill” since he was the investigator of adding the dental program to the TALC pension program.

Pastor Menter is survived by his wife, three children, David (Cheryl) Menter, Phillip (Mariann) Menter, and Rebecca (Tom) Converse, eight grandchildren Elizabeth (Jonathan) Spiker, Abby Menter, Courtney (Gerry) Emig, Andy Menter, Emily (Joe) Ebert, Matthew Menter, Hannah Converse and Mackenzie Menter as well as eight great grandchildren Emma, Christian, Michael, Clair, Catherine Emig and Lydia, Ezra and Jude Spiker.

Friends may visit 6-9 pm Friday at the Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Rd N. (St. Rt. #256), Pickerington 43147 and one hour prior to the funeral service 11 am Saturday at the church with Pastor Brad Gee officiating.
Friends who wish may contribute to the First English Lutheran Church, 1015 E. Main St., Columbus 43205, the Norman A. Menter Chair at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2199 E. Main St., Bexley 43209, or the Epiphany Lutheran Church in Ted’s memory.