Rev. Valentine (Val) Hennig
 May 26, 1931 – September 16, 2024

Dear friends,

Our beloved brother and colleague died quietly on Monday, September 16, 2024, at Parkwood Mennonite Home in Waterloo.

Val was born to Herman and Antonia (Toni) Hennig on May 26, 1931, in Lamont, Alberta.  He was very fond of his early years on the farm in Zawale, Alberta. Valentine knew from a young age that his calling was to serve the church.  He graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri in 1955 and served congregations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and England during his 69 years of ordained ministry.  He also served a fellowship at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, and as University Chaplain at both Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo.  A life-long learner, and always wanting a degree from Canada, Val was proud to earn a second master’s degree from Wilfrid Laurier University at the age of 80.

Val is survived by his wife and partner of 67 years, Frieda (Kebbel) Hennig, his son Paul (Deborah) Hennig, daughters Jane, Catherine (Kate), and Susan Hennig, and granddaughter Ainsleigh Hennig (Edward). He also leaves behind brothers-in-law Herb (Jeanette) Kebbel and Ed Kebbel, and all his favourite nieces and nephews along with many adopted family members.

He is predeceased by his parents Herman and Antonia Hennig, sisters Bernice (Vic) Schneider, Naomi (Chuck) Schneider, and Margaret (Adolf) Schultz, his nephew Greg Schultz, his parents-in-law Adolf and Emma Kebbel and sister-in-law Gail Kebbel.

Services will be held at St Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 317 Franklin St N, Kitchener, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 2:00 PM EST. Clergy are invited to vest, the liturgical colour is green.  A livestream and recording of the service will be made available on Val’s tribute page at www.erbgood.com

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff and chaplains at Parkwood Mennonite Home and particularly the team on Weber Woods for their care of Valentine and his family.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family and donations to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Parkwood Mennonite Home in Waterloo, and Food4Kids Waterloo Region may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street S. Waterloo at www.erbgood.com

“Lord, now you let your servant go in peace for my eyes have seen your salvation.” Luke 2:29

Faithfully yours,
Rev Dr Michael J. Pryse, Bishop

“It is with great delight that we invite you to the ordination of Rev. Carla Blakley as Bishop of the Eastern Synod. The ordination service will take place Saturday, September 28, 2024 at St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, 54 Benton St., Kitchener, ON N2G 3H2 starting at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow.”

Rev. Martin Giebel    March 1, 1959 – July 18, 2024  Dear friends,   Our beloved brother and colleague died tragically and suddenly by suicide on July 18, 2024.   Martin was born in Witten, Germany. He was a graduate of the University of Heidelberg and ordained on February 4, 1990. He came to Canada in 1997 where he served Christ the King- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Thornhill; St. James, St. Jacobs and most recently, St. Mark’s Anglican Lutheran Church in Midland. Martin is survived by his siblings Isolda Sladek in Hagen, Germany, Anne Steffen and Wilfried Giebel, both resident in Witten, Germany.   Martin has served as Chair of the Ecumenical Affairs Committee, Bielefeld, Germany; Holocaust Education Committee, Toronto and on Refugee Committees in Thornhill, St. Jacobs and Midland.  He has also been serving as Dean of the Huronia Ministry Area.   Funeral arrangements will be shared as they become available.   Martin’s death should give all of us pause to be attentive to our own mental health and to that of those around us. I deeply regret that I did not know the depth of pain he was experiencing. Martin was a lovely and good man and a very fine pastor. May he rest in peace and rise in glory!   “Lord, now you let your servant go in peace for my eyes have seen your salvation.” Luke 2:29    Faithfully yours,   Rev Dr Michael J. Pryse, Bishop