Notes:

Niagara Gazette

SPRING HILL, FL — Rev. Lawrence E. Herfurth was called by the Lord to the Church Triumphant in his 91st year on November 18, 2010. He passed peacefully at his home in The Residence at Timber Pines, Spring Hill, FL, after an illness of four and a half months. He was born in Alexandria, VA, to the late Oscar and Sadie Herfurth on May 5, 1919.

Pastor Herfurth received his pre-theological training at Concordia College, Bronxville, NY. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, IL in January of 1945. On February 4, 1945, Pastor Herfurth was ordained into the Holy Ministry and installed as the Pastor of Zion (now Grace) Lutheran Church, Niagara Falls. Two days later, he married the former Betty Jane Pils of Niagara Falls on her 21st birthday. They were married just short of 61 years when she was called home January 7, 2006. He was also predeceased by their daughter, Ruth Suzanne, at the age of 19 months; and his sister, Ruth Tufts, in her 91st year.

He is survived by his wife, the former Barbara Johansen, whom he married in Florida on his 88th birthday, May 5, 2007; two children, Jane (Ron) Schulz of Niagara Falls and Rev. John (Inge) Herfurth of Indianapolis; three grandchildren, Katelyn Schulz of Niagara Falls, Katharine (Tim) Lyvers and Mark Herfurth, both of Indiana; along with two nieces, Barbara (Henry) Ulrich and Anne Tufts.

Rev. Herfurth served Grace Lutheran Church, Niagara Falls, as its Pastor for 17 years, during which time the new building was erected and dedicated. He also served on many Synod, District and civic committees during these years. On March 4, 1962, he was installed as Executive Director of the Lutheran Service Society of Western New York where he served for 23 years until his retirement. Some of the highlights of his LSS ministry were placing hundreds of children for adoption, joining. the Child Welfare League of America, becoming owner of elderly apartments in North Tonawanda called Luther Manor, foster home program for Indochinese Unaccompanied Refugees in Erie and Niagara Counties, developed a home for developmentally disabled in North Tonawanda, known as LADD (Lutheran Association for Developmentally Disabled), and became chairman of the Advisory Board for the Erie Co. Correctional Facility in Alden, NY.

In his retirement, Pastor enjoyed reading, following sports, sitting on his porch at the Residence and working on puzzles. He and Barbara were very busy with activities at The Residence, where he served as President of the Resident Council for the past four years. They also enjoyed going to live theater performances, going to eat at Red Lobster and Applebees, and attending church and Sunday School classes. He also was a member of the Kiwanis Club in New York and Florida.

Two memorial services were held in Florida on November 22, 2010. At 9:30 AM a service was held at The Residence, led by Pastor Jerry Waugh, with participation from Mary Young of the Residence and Pastor's children, Jane and John. Then at 1:00 PM, a memorial service was held at Brewer & Sons Seven Hills Chapel, led by Pastor Jerry Waugh, and Pastor Fran Welch, with participation from Rev. Dr. Arnold Kromphardt, former Eastern District President of the LCMS, and personal friend of Rev. Herfurth. Interment was at Florida Hills Memorial Gardens.

A service to celebrate the life and ministry of Rev. L. E. Herfurth will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Niagara Falls, on Thursday, April 7, 2011. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 736 Cayuga Dr., Niagara Falls, NY 14304, or The Lutheran Service Society, 6680 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221.

Visit www.niagara-gazette.com/obituaries for online guest register.

Lawrence married PILS, Betty Jane on 6 Feb 1945 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Betty (daughter of PILS, Albert W and WENDT, Katherine Elisabeth) was born on 6 Feb 1924 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY; died on 7 Jan 2006 in Dade City, Pasco County, FL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

HERFURTH: The Rev. and Mrs. Lawrence E. (Betty Jane Pils) Herfurth of Niagara Falls and Ridge Manor, Fla., recently celebrated 50 years of marriage with a luncheon at John's Flaming Hearth, followed by a church dinner at Grace Lutheran Church. Rev. Herfurth retired after 17 years of service at Grace Lutheran Church and 23 years of service with the Lutheran Service Society. Mrs. Herfurth was a nurse at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. They were married Feb. 6, 1945, at the former Zion, now Grace Lutheran Church. They have two children and three grandchildren.

1. HERFURTH, Rev John
2. HERFURTH, Ruth Suzanne was born in 1947 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 23 Feb 1948 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY.
3. HERFURTH, Jane

Lawrence married JOHANSEN, Barbara on 5 May 2007 in FL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Oscar + Sadie. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]