Rev. Louis G. Nuechterlein

CHESHIRE – Rev. Louis G. Nuechterlein, 96, entered eternal rest to be with Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on January 25, 2025, at Elim Park, Cheshire. He was born in St. Joseph, Michigan on October 10, 1928, and baptized eleven days later by his father, also Rev. Louis G. Nuechterlein, in that town’s Trinity Lutheran Church. He was educated at St. Joseph’s Trinity Lutheran parochial school; Concordia High School and Junior College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; the St. Louis Institute of Music; Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri (M Div) and the University of Michigan (MA in Music Literature). Following graduation and ordination in 1953, he was called as assistant pastor and director of music and Christian education at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne – and later in 1960, as pastor of Cheshire Lutheran Church in Cheshire, CT, where he served until his retirement from full-time parish ministry in 1994.

In addition to editing the LCMS New England District Worship Newsletter for a number of years, Rev. Nuechterlein served as one of the District’s Circuit Visitors and as a member of its Worship Commission and its Board of Directors. As a church musician, he led the parish choir of his congregation – as well as workshops for other organists and choirmasters, including several for the church-wide introduction in 1978 and 2006 of two new Lutheran hymnals. He also contributed articles for church music journals and periodicals; and from 1993 to 2008, he provided Program Notes for the annual concerts of the choral music of J.S. Bach presented by CONCORA, a Hartford-based professional choir.

During his retirement years, in addition to Sunday supply-preaching in area Lutheran congregations, he served as LCMS New England District Circuit Visitor, also as a member of the Board of Directors of Lutheran Social Services of New England and the Lutheran Home (for the elderly) in Southbury, CT.

Louis is survived by Gloria (nee Kinworthy), his wife of 70 years, their four children – John, Mary (Brod), Paul and Anne (Harney Nuechterlein) – four grandchildren – Michael Brod, Carol Brod, Corinne Gonzalez and Ben Harney, and five great grandchildren – Cynthia, Justus, Zippora, Owen and Simon. The family would like to thank the extraordinary staff of Elim Park and Rehab Facility for the wonderful care and support they provided throughout his residence in the last year.

The funeral will be held at Cheshire Lutheran Church, 660 West Main Street, Cheshire on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 1:00pm. Calling hours will be held in the parish library beginning at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Cheshire Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with arrangements.