Donald Friedrich Lutz

PEKIN ~ Donald Friedrich Lutz was born in Pekin, Illinois, on October 29, 1951, and passed from this world into eternal life with his Savior on May 9, 2025. Don was the son of Willis Henry and Mary Katherine (Friedrich) Lutz of Green Valley. On June 7, 1975, he married Sheila Louise (Elliott) Lutz at Christ Lutheran Church in Normal. They lived all but the first three months of their marriage in Pekin.

Surviving are his wife of almost 50 years; his mother, Mary Kay Lutz of Newburgh, Indiana; his children, Trevor Lutz of Pekin, Tirza (Ryan) Wolf of Bloomington, Rev. Elliott (Katie) Lutz of Kernersville, N.C., and Jarrod Lutz of Edwardsville; five granddaughters, Audra and Emersyn Wolf of Bloomington and Noel, Alexandra, and Jayda Lutz of Kernersville; one brother, Richard (Rachel) Lutz of Gainesville, Florida; two sisters Ruth Jenkins of Newburgh, Indiana, and Mary Nemeroff of Coral Springs, Florida; sisters-in-law Linda (Brian) Wilcox of Mulvane, Kansas, Leila (Robert) Ayers of Overland Park, Kansas, and Sara (Carl) Hanson or Lenexa Kansas; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Don grew up on his family’s farm north of the Mackinaw River and was a life-long, 6th generation, member of St. John’s (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church, where he was baptized and confirmed. Don was a 1969 graduate of PCHS and a 1973 graduate of Illinois State University.

Don worked for State Farm Insurance in Bloomington in data processing as a computer analyst. During his career at State Farm his duties included serving as a programmer, an instructor, in quality control, and on a disaster response team. While there he also joined a Toastmaster club, a lunch-time card club, and participated in the State Farm Christmas choir.

Music was an integral part of Don’s life. He participated in Pekin Community High School, Illinois State University, and the Pekin Municipal bands. At church he was a member of the bell choir, the church choir, and the Praise Team. Locally, he joined Pekin Civic Chorus (PCC), Friends in Harmony (FiH,) Taste of Friends, and the Green Valley Sesqui-centennial chorus. He served on the board for PCC and FiH.

Don and Sheila loved to dance and were blessed to share their joy, dancing in shows in Pekin and by teaching and calling dances (square, round, and contra) for Folk Valley (currently dancing in Harding, Illinois.)

A life-long Cardinal fan, Don could be found watching many games either on TV or in St. Louis. He also enjoyed the former Lutheran bowling league and, since retiring in 2017, golfing with his singing friends. He had a workshop which was amply supplied with tools from his father, father-in-law, and grandfather, and he used them well for many projects. He loved gardening and organized his plantings so the flowerbeds would always have something blooming.

His quick wit and ability to come up with a pun in almost any situation set people to either groan or laugh, providing entertainment for all – or most.

He loved his children and did all he could to encourage and aid their education, serving on the feasibility committee and first years’ board of Good Shepherd Lutheran school and several parent groups, often as president. During the past year, one of things he missed most was getting to enjoy his granddaughters’ educational and extra-curricular activities.

Don loved his Lord and felt blessed. He served His church wherever he could: as a carpenter; Sunday school teacher; retreat leader; congregation chairman; financial officer; on the music, worship, and contemporary worship committees; forming a brass group for special services; and elder. He was the head elder of St. John’s until glioblastoma forced his resignation.

For the last 18 years, God led his focus to missions. In 2007, he attended a mission convention and visited with many there who were involved with the many aspects of spreading the Word of God’s salvation in the mission field. Knowing his congregation could be more active in mission outreach, he initiated he first of many mission trips for members of St. John’s for hurricane relief in Biloxi, Mississippi. Subsequent trips were for hurricane and flood relief in New Orleans, Houston, and Cedar Rapids, as well as to provide homes for those in need in El Paso. He became certified by LERT (Lutheran Early Response Teams) and provided help in local disasters.

Don’s love of His Lord directed his heart and his life activity. He was thankful and praised the Lord whenever and wherever he could. He prayed that this would be the same for all. To God be the glory for giving him life and granting him eternal life in heaven.

His visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2025 at Preston Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 2025 at St. John’s (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church, rural Green Valley. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. following Saturday’s visitation with the Rev. Chris Sansom and the Rev. Ron Miller officiating. Burial at Sand Prairie Cemetery will follow immediately following.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church - Sand Prairie Mission Outreach Fund, 13443 Townline Road, Green Valley, IL 61534 or to Good Shepherd Lutheran School Gymnasium Fund, 3201 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com