Rev. Samuel Edwin Stein, 81, Pastor

He was born October 29, 1920 in Springfield, Ohio and moved to Avon Lake in 1965 where he resided until moving to Avon in 1986 and Lorain in 1989.

He received his BS in Education from Cedarville College, Ohio and a BA Degree from Concordia College, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also was a graduate of Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and received his masters degree from South Dakota State University. In his ministry he served churches in Minnesota and South Dakota before coming to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Avon Lake where he served as pastor in 1962 until retiring in 1985. The sanctuary was built during his time as pastor and was dedicated in 1967, which was also the year the church was officially named; an din 1968 the nursery school was built. Rev. Stein served as interim pastor at churches throughout northern Ohio during his retirement. He also served as chaplain for the Avon Lake Fire Department from 1972 until his retirement.

He enjoyed music, electric trains and gardening and was a bird and nature lover.

Rev. Stein is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bette (nee Digman); a son, David C. of Freeport, OH and a daughter, Kristen Hague of Pittsburgh, PA; three grandchildren, Jennifer, Stefanie and Michael and two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Hannah; and a brother, Alvin Stein of Delaware, OH.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Samuel A. and Emilie Stein (nee Pollach); two brothers, Paul and Alfred Stein and three sisters, Vera Noch, Gertrude Stein and Sylvia Bosse.

A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 295 College Park Drive, Elyria on Sunday, February 17, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. William Burkett, pastor, will officiate.

Memorials may be forwarded to the Music Fund of Redeemer Lutheran Church, 295 College Park Drive, Elyria, OH 44035.

Arrangements are being handled by the Busch-Burmeister Family Chapel, Avon Lake.