Walter Alfred Schulenburg, 95, of Tipton, entered eternal rest on Sunday, December 28, 2008.  A lifetime resident of Tipton County, he was born August 15, 1913 to Paul and Martha (Leininger) Schulenburg.  God welcomed him into His family at baptism on September 7, 1913 and confirmed his baptismal vows through the rite of confirmation on April 10, 1927.  On June 15, 1941, Walter married Melba Kuhlman who survives.  The union was blessed with four children.

Walter was a devoted and attentive husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He farmed the family homestead for 67 years and was a sports enthusiast  Walter was a lifelong member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Tipton, IN, where he served as the congregational chairman, secretary, and elder for twenty-five years.  He served on the Board of Stewardship, Board of Trustees, and the Board of Lay Ministry.  He also served as a Sunday school and bible class teacher for thirty-five years.  Walter was also a fifty-five year member of the choir.

In addition to serving the local church with his time and talents, Walter served at the synodical level as a member of the Nominations Committee.  He also held offices at the district level as a member of the Mission Board, Nominations Committee, Board of Directors, Commission of Adjudication, and the Fort Wayne Theological Seminary's President's Advisory Council (1979-present).  In 1994, Walter was the recipient of the Frederick Wyneken Evangelism Award presented for serving the Indiana District-Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

A member of the Lutheran Laymen's League, Walter served the local organization through its Men's Club of which he was the Chairman and Membership Chairmen.  He served as the Valiant's Zone President and Membership Chairman.  He also held the office of president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, member-at-large, and Assistant Development Chairman of the Northern Indiana District LLL.

Not only did he serve his Lord faithfully through church-sponsored organizations, Walter was a civil servant who held county and state offices.  He was a member of the township advisory board for six years, a county commissioner for four terms, and President of the Indiana County Commissioner's Association.  He contributed to the community as well through service in the Kiwanis and the Tipton County ARC board for thirty years.

Walter is survived by his wife, Melba, one son and his wife, Elroy and Nancy Schulenburg of Indianapolis, three daughters and their husbands, Karen and Mike Nelson of Burket, IN, Linda and Paul Pritchett of Lizton, IN, and Ina and Craig Guenin of Monroeville, IN, ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  Walter's brother, John Schulenburg, and sister, Hulda Holsten, both of Tipton and a host of other family members and friends also mourn his passing.  Walter was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Herbert, Arnold, Emory, and Melvin.

His funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2009, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Tipton, with Pastor Robb Roloff and Pastor Kurt Gremel presiding.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Tipton.  Visitation will be from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday at Young-Nichols Funeral Home and from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries, Emanuel Lutheran Church, or Concordia Theological Seminary thru the funeral home or the church.

Confirmation verse: 2 Corinthians 5:15