John Philip Wahl

The Rev. Dr. J Philip Wahl, 78, bishop emeritus of the Southeast Michigan Synod of the ELCA, entered the Church Triumphant on January 7, 2015. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Janice Krempin Wahl, son Arthur (Josephine) of Grosse Ile, Michigan, daughter Katherine Geiser (Michael) of Columbus, Ohio, daughter Roberta Mooney (Craig) of Royal Oak, Michigan. Also surviving are nine grandchildren: Sean and Andrew Wahl, Caroline Trippel (Travis); Alex, Lauren and Bethany Geiser; Nathan, Teresa and Katherine Mooney. He was preceded in death by his parents, Erich and Margaret, and sister Louise Purcell (Robert).

Rev. (Phil) Wahl was ordained into the Lutheran ministry at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Detroit, Michigan, on June 23, 1963. He served Michigan parishes in St. Clair Shores, Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms, and in Savannah, Georgia. Recognized for his work in promoting racial and economic justice in Detroit during the 1960’s, Rev. Wahl became the first Director of Urban Ministries, in Columbus, Ohio, served as Regional Director (Ohio, Michigan and parts of Indiana) for the American Lutheran Church (ALC) Division for Service and Mission (DSMA), and on ALC’s Minneapolis central staff, as Director of Finance for DSMA.

Rev. Wahl was elected Bishop of the Southeastern Michigan Synod of the newly merged Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1991, and upon leaving that office, was conferred the honor, Bishop Emeritus of the Southeast Michigan Synod of the ELCA.

He served on the boards of Capital University, Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, and Trinity Seminary of Columbus; as well as an advisory member to the ELCA church council. He established a task force for the hearing impaired in Michigan, was a founder of Housing For Exceptional People and served on the Social Service Task Force of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. Among his lifetime honors are an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Divinity from Capital University, and an Outstanding Alumnus Award from Trinity Seminary

In retirement from the active ministry in 2003, he devoted his energies to Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio, where he was named Resident Theologian and a member of the president’s cabinet. He has been blessed in the ministry and relationships shared with members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Visitation will be at Schoedinger Funeral Home, 6699 N. High St., Worthington, Ohio on January 11, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 2480 W. Dublin Granville Road, Worthington Ohio, on January 12, 11:00 a.m. No visitation at church. Clergy are invited to vest; color is white.

It was Rev.Wahl’s wish that remembrance contributions be made to: ELCA Hunger Appeal, 8765 Higgins Road, Cgo, Il 60631; Trinity Lutheran Seminary Scholarship Fund, 2199 E. Main St., Columbus, OH 43209; Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio, Attn: Development Dept., 500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste.245, Worthington, OH 43085 or Lutheran Social Services of Michigan Foundation, 8131 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48214.

A service of committal will be held at a later date with interment at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 375 Lothrop Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms, MI.

The family thanks the staff at Columbus Alzheimer Care Center, and Ohio Health Hospice for the comfort, care and compassion given our husband and father in his last days.

Phil had about him a dignity, a desire to serve, and a profound faith in his Lord.