Seymour Daily Tribune
December 13, 2006
The Rev. Frederick A. Mildenburger
Sept. 5, 1938 - Dec. 11, 2006
The Rev. Frederick A. Mildenburger, 68, of rural Scottsburg, died at 4:48 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, at University of Louisville Hospital.
Pastor Mildenburger retired Aug. 1, 2004, from Emanuel Lutheran Church in Dudleytown and from Bethel Lutheran Church in Austin, after serving both churches for 39 years.
Born Sept. 5, 1938, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he grew up in Ridgewood Queens. He was the son of Fred "Fritz", who preceded him in death on Aug. 11, 1987, and Marie Anna (Goldenbaum) Mildenburger, who preceded him in death on Jan. 19, 2005.
He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Brooklyn. He attended P.S. 93 and entered and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School. He began attending Brooklyn Poly Tech College to study engineering, but after the first semester, he felt called to the Lutheran ministry. Beginning his preparation for the ministry, he enrolled at Concordia Jr. College, in Bronxville, N.Y., graduating with an associate of arts degree in 1959. Furthering his studies he enrolled at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1961. During the course of his studies he met his future wife, Marcia. To complete his ministerial studies he entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., in the fall of 1961. Before his vicarage assignment, he married Marcia Ellen Schwick on Aug. 17, 1963, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. After his year of vicarage at Eastern Heights Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minn., he returned to the seminary in St. Louis for his final year of study. He graduated May 28, 1965, with a Master of Divinity degree from the seminary, and was ordained on June 6, 1965, in the church where he was baptized and confirmed. He was then installed as pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church (Dudleytown) and Bethel Lutheran Church (Austin) on June 27, 1965. The couple was blessed with three children, Frederick Ernst, Marta Lynn and Krista Marlene.
While living in Jackson County, he was very active in several organizations, clubs and offices of the church including, Farm Bureau when it was located in Washington Township, assistant fire chief for the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department, and Seymour Exchange Club. He was Circuit Counselor for the Lutheran churches in Jackson County for numerous years, past chaplain at Scott County Hospital and member and advisor for Lutheran Layman's League. He also served as a board member for Lutheran Child and Family Services in Indianapolis. After retiring, he continued to serve the church as an interim pastor for churches with vacancies. Pastor and Marcia enjoyed traveling, including special trips to Germany for their 20th wedding anniversary, to Colorado while their son Fred was attending the Air Force Academy; the Caribbean Islands and London, England, to visit their daughter Krista, and a very special 15 day train trip from Toronto to Vancouver, given to him as a retirement gift from the Emanuel Lutheran congregation. They also enjoyed going to their vacation home on the coast of North Carolina.
He was a collector of pre-war Lionel trains, liked reading about history, gardening, working on his computer, and camping. With the help of local farmers, he learned to raise hogs and "farm" and was very active helping his children in 4-H. He loved to bake and cook, so he became the assistant chef at the Whistle Stop in Vallonia.
Survivors include his wife, Marcia, Scottsburg; a son, Frederick E. (Deborah) Mildenburger, Little York; two daughters, Marta (Michael) Bridwell, Pittsboro, and Krista (Raymond) Shelton, Tokyo, Japan; four grandchildren, Luke, Abagael, and Mitchell Bridwell, all of Pittsboro, and Sophia Shelton, Tokyo; one sister, Marion (Thomas) Stoner, Waretown, N.J.; two nephews, Scott (Robin) Stoner, Burlington, N.J., and Daniel Stoner, Jackson, N.J.; one great nephew; an aunt; uncle, and four cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an aunt and uncle.
The Reverend Scott Kozisek will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m., Friday, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Dudleytown. Burial will take place at Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 8 pm Thursday, at Adams Funeral Home, Crothersville, and from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the tuition assistance fund for Emanuel or Bethel students wishing to attend Trinity Lutheran High School or the Lutheran Community Home.