Rev. Richard F. Lewer

April 27, 1937 - January 17, 2018

CUMBERLAND – Rev. Richard Frederick Lewer, age 80, of Cumberland, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at Community Hospital East. He was born on April 27, 1937 in Raymondville, TX, the son of Fred and Olga (Fette) Lewer. He graduated from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, IL. In 1960, he married Nancy (Buhrdorf) of Chicago, IL. He was principal and teacher of Immanuel Lutheran School in Decatur, IN from 1960-1964. In 1964, he served as principal and teacher of St. Paul Lutheran School in Harlingen, TX. He taught there for 11 ½ years, after which time he moved to Springfield, IL to attend Concordia Theological Seminary to study for the ministry. He graduated in 1974 and was ordained at his first parish, Trinity Lutheran Church, in Columbia, TN. Richard served three other parishes: Christ Lutheran Church in Wathena, KS, Faith Lutheran Church in Forrest City, AR, and St. John Lutheran Church in Lafe, AR. He retired in 2000. During retirement, he served as vacancy pastor for Zion Lutheran Church in New Palestine, IN for 1 ½ years. Richard and Nancy were blessed with 3 children: Steven, Cheryl, and Janice; 10 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. Richard was an avid reader and loved canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 19, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 6513 W. 300 S., New Palestine, IN 46163. A funeral service will take place immediately following the visitation at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Jason Taylor will be officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in New Palestine. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to the Zion Lutheran School Scholarship Fund, 6513 W. 300 S., New Palestine, IN 46163 or Lutheran High School, 5555 S. Arlington Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46237. Envelopes will be available at the church. Friends may share a memory or a condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com. Arrangements are being handled by Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory in Greenfield.