David Paul NEHRING

News Death Notice

NEHRING, David Paul Age 72 of Beavercreek, OH passed away Wednesday, January 30 from cancer. He was born September 14, 1940 in Eldora, IA, the son of Earnest and Alma Ziesman Nehring. After obtaining an Associates of Arts from Concordia College St Paul, MN, he earned a Bachelors of Arts at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, IN. After earning a Masters of Divinity at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis he became an Ordained Lutheran minister. Most recently he served as Associate Pastor at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Huber Heights, OH for the past 26 years. He had previously served at Zion in Detroit, MI, St. John's in Gary IN, Zion in New Haven, CT including being the East Coast Training Director of the Lutheran Church Prince of Peace Volunteer Corps. He was supply/vacancy pastor at St. Mark's Glastonbury, CT, St. Paul's in Ontario, OR, St. Peter's in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Grace in Hop Bottom, PA, St. John's in Hazleton, PA, & St. Paul's in Tunkhannock PA. He married Virginia Ann Norfolk of Hannibal, MO on Sept 4, 1964. He is survived by his wife Virginia, daughters Elizabeth of Dayton, OH and Sarah of Beavercreek, OH, son Daniel of Glenview, IL, brother Melvin of Des Moines, IA, son-in-law Timothy, daughter-in-law Christine, and grandchildren Michael, Gabrielle, Luke and Josephine. He was loved by many and will be missed not only for his warm inviting spirit, but also a burning desire to assist his fellow man. For ten years he was called as Missionary at Large in New Haven, CT, where David co-founded & was director of Christian Community Action to implement the Biblical command to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give shelter to those without. That organization continues today. While a missionary at large he also graduated from Yale University Divinity School with a Masters in Social Ethics. In Boise, ID he was Executive Director of the Idaho Epilepsy League and completed a Masters in Public Administration from Boise University. David was Communications Director of the American Red Cross Blood Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre, PA. In 1986, he became Executive Director for Daybreak Runaway Shelter in Dayton, OH followed by being Director of Fundraising and Public Relations at Green Hills Retirement Community and later the Development Officer for Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. During his lifetime David was a strong supporter of civil rights. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Montgomery, AL and lived long enough to see America elect the first black President. David enjoyed traveling with his wife cross-country in their RV, collecting Lionel trains, reading science fiction, and being a self-proclaimed Apple fan. All that knew him and those that benefitted from his service to community are invited to his memorial service at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 5566 Chambersburg Road, Huber Heights, OH on February 16 at 11:00 AM. If desired memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church.