Pastor Stephen G Mazak

Reverend Stephen G. Mazak, Jr., 82 of Bessemer, Alabama, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, March 9, 2013 and to reunite with his wife of 52 years, Carol Behnke Mazak. He was the son of the late Rev. Stephan and Anne (Rybarik) Mazak. His lifetime was devoted to the ministry, care and service of others as a Pastor, Professor, Dean of Students, and Counselor. Rev. Mazak received his professional training at Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. In addition he received a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Murray State University and Ph.D. in Psychology from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. His ministry to others began as a professor and dorm counselor at Concordia College in Milwaukee. On September 2, 1956 he was ordained into the Holy Ministry at St. John’s in Cudahy, Wisconsin and was installed as assistant pastor to his father. He then was pastor of many churches to include: Trinity and Grace Lutheran Churches, Willow Springs, Illinois; Calvary Lutheran Church, Baltimore, Maryland; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Murray, Kentucky; and Concordia Lutheran Church, Conover, North Carolina. In addition, he was a Professor and Dean of Students at Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Lenoir Rhyne College, Hickory, North Carolina. He also was Clinical Director of Ten Broeck Hospital in Hickory, North Carolina. During his time in Baltimore, Maryland he also served as Chaplain in the Army Reserves. Rev. Mazak is survived by his four daughters, Cheryl Farlow (Raleigh, NC), Elizabeth Mazak (Birmingham, AL), Anne McIntyre (Conway, AR), Deborah Como (Birmingham, AL); a brother Richard Mazak (Newton, NC) and a sister, Noelle Nothelfer (Surprise, AZ); three son-in-laws; six grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 6 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, March 14 at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, March 15 at 11 am at Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Steve will be remembered as a faithful servant to God, a loving and dedicated husband and father as well as a counselor and constant witness/minister to God’s children. The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at the Oaks on Parkwood, O2 Neal Medical, and UAB Health System for the excellent care they provided for Steve over the past few years. Memorial gifts may be made to the Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills Project HOPE International Missions, Lutheran Church of Missouri Synod Joint Seminary Fund and UAB Interstitial Lung Disease Program.