Service to God's People

Adapted from "They Shall Not Be Forgotten"
The Lutheran Witness, Central Illinois District Supplement, 1944

On March 4, 1876, the home of the Rev. and Mrs. E.A. Sieving in Lincoln, Missouri, was gladdened with the gift of a healthy baby boy in the person of Theodore, who, since 1907, has been the faithful, consecrated, and beloved pastor of our sister congregation in Manito, Illinois.

Fascinating, at times, is the pathway of life. When Pastor Sieving was installed at St. Paul's in Manito in 1907, he wasn't exactly a stranger in that community. He first saw the community, rather, we should say, the community first saw him, when he was a six-weeks-old baby. His father followed the call to St. Paul's of Manito in 1876, when his son Theodore was but six weeks old. He lived with his parents in Manito until 1883. In that year he moved with his parents to Corunna, Indiana, since his father had received and accepted the call to the Lutheran church of that community.

He was confirmed in his father's church in Corunna in 1890. The following year he entered Concordia College at Fort Wayne, and in 1896 he began his theological studies at Springfield. He graduated from the Springfield Seminary in 1900.

His first congregation, Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, was at Pocahontas, Missouri, a town near the cradle of the Missouri Synod, historic Perry County. He served his parish both as pastor and parochial school teacher for seven years.

From Pocahontas to Manito

In 1907 Theodore followed the call to St. Paul's of Manito, Illinois, and St. Luke's of Allens Grove. He served these two congregations for the next 24 years.

In 1932 St. Luke's Church of Allens Grove, the smaller of the two congregations, had grown large enough to become a self-sustaining church. From 1932 until his retirement Pastor Sieving served only St. Paul's of Manito. (While in charge of St. Luke's Congregation at Allens Grove, Pastor Sieving preached over 900 sermons, baptized 83 persons, and confirmed 70).

While St. Luke's of Allens Grove was showing marked outward progress, St. Paul's Congregation at Manito was not standing still. In 1915 a new church building with a seating capacity of 350 was erected. From time to time other improvements were made on the church property. The last physical improvement under the pastorate of the Rev. Sieving at St. Paul's was the installation of a two-manual Moeller pipe organ in 1939.

The Theodore & Louise Sieving Family

In October, 1901, he married Miss Louise Flachsbart of St. Louis. To this union four daughters were born:

• Vera, now the wife of Teacher H. Schumacher of New Minden, Ill.

• Ruth, the wife of the Rev. Wm. Bruening of Washington, D.C.

• Concordia, the wife of Pastor Bruno Prange of Watseka, Ill.

• Tekla, the wife of Paul Bruening of Jackson, Mo.

Thirty-Seven Years in One Parish

During the 37 years as pastor of St. Paul's, the Rev. Sieving took part in the celebration of two anniversaries, his 25th in the ministry, in 1925, and his 25th as pastor of St. Paul's, in 1932.

On Sept. 24, 1944, Pastor Sieving preached his farewell sermon at St. Paul's. His active ministry extended over 44 years, the last 37 of which were spent in Manito. By the grace of God he was blessed with good health throughout his active years and never once missed a Sunday service or any functions of his office because of ill health or sickness.

At the present time Pastor and Mrs. Sieving are living in their own home at New Minden, Ill. We join with their many friends throughout the Central Illinois District to wish them God's choicest blessings during their sunset years of life.

Obituary

On Saturday evening, March 31 [1945], the Rev. Theo. Sieving, former pastor of St. Paul's Congregation at Manito, Ill., was translated from the Church Militant into the Church Triumphant. Death struck suddenly while he was visiting his sister-in-law in St. Louis. Funeral services were conducted at Holy Cross Church, St. Louis. The Rev. P.F. Harre of New Minden, Ill., conducted the service.

Many members of St. Paul's of Manito journeyed to St. Louis to attend the funeral on Tuesday, April 3. From reports emanating from Manito, the congregation there is taking up a special offering for a memorial for their former pastor, who served them as a faithful shepherd for 37 years. He retired as pastor of St. Paul's in September, 1944.

May the promise of the Savior, confirmed by His resurrection, "Where I am, there shall also My servant be" comfort the bereaved.