Milton John Pingel

Milton was born to Eleanora and Edwin Theodore Pingel on February 24, 1930 in the City of Orange, CA. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School of Orange, where his father was a teacher and principal. After graduating grade school in 1943, Milton continued his education at Oak Park-River Forest (Concordia) College, located in Chicago, IL. Milton took his first teaching position in 1949 in a one-room school in Cisco, TX, while finishing his college education. He graduated from college and he moved to the Los Angeles area in 1952, answering a call to be a teaching principal at Highland Park Lutheran School. This is where he met his wife Lois Elaine, and they had their 2 children, Charon and Steve. Then, in 1957, Milton and his new family came to Riverside, CA, where he accepted a call to open Immanuel Lutheran Church’s new school located on Magnolia Avenue. During this time, they were blessed with 2 more children, Debbie and Scott. In 1969, Milton helped to establish Immanuel’s current home with Pastor William Graumann. Later in his career he graduated from La Sierra University, where he earned his Masters Degree in Education. Following in his father’s footsteps, Milton was a teacher and principal for 45 years, retiring in 1996.

He enjoyed playing softball, being a part of a traveling choir, playing the piano and organ in church, and furthering his education.

Milton had a passion for the Lord, his family, teaching and baseball. He was an avid reader, enjoying many novels. During his days at Immanuel, when not in class, Milton could be found on the field playing softball with the children on a daily basis. “14 but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 19:14 ESV

Milton John Pingel was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Eleanora Pingel, and his beautiful bride of 54 years, Lois Elaine Pingel. He is survived by his children Charon Smith, Steven Pingel, Debbie McClatchey (Darrell), Scott Pingel (Mary), his grandchildren Christi Rainey Shellner (Wayne), Tammi Tosti (Chris), Heather Pingel, Matthew Stephenson, and Isabella Black; and his great grandchildren Alex and Adam Rainey, Paige Shellner, Austin and Sofia Tosti.