David Wollenburg

Rev. Dr. David William Wollenburg (Chaplain, Colonel, USAF, retired)

David Wollenburg was born March 9, 1945 in St. Louis, MO to William and Mary (nee Fricke) Wollenburg, the eldest of seven children. He was peacefully called to rest while at home on a beautiful spring Sunday afternoon, on April 12, 2026.

He was preceded in death by his son Carl in 2022. He is survived by his devoted wife Jerry of 58½ years, his daughters, Christina (Michael Bergt), Jessica (Cole Butcher), and Rebecca Wollenburg; and his 15 grandchildren: Benjamin, Grace, Samuel (Allison), Josiah (Katie), Sarah, Peter, Emma (Ty), Suzanna (Trevor), Joshua (Kayla), Joel, Phoebe (Clinton), Simeon, Magdalena, Elijah, and Abraham; and his great-grandchildren: Sawyer, Tripp, Tatum, Harvey, and Adelaide.

As a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod clergyman, David served his Lord and Savior as parish pastor in Grayling, MI; Quincy, IL; St. Louis, MO; and Crossville, TN. He spent 33 years as a military (USAF) chaplain on active duty, Air National Guard, and Reserves, retiring in 1999 with the rank of Colonel. Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, called David to serve the church as Professor of Practical Theology while developing the Seminary Specific Ministry Pastor program adapted by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He also previously served as Director of the Distance Education Program leading to ordination, admissions counselor, and guest instructor. He received his BA from Concordia Senior College in Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary St. Louis, Mo. 1971; Master of Sacred Theology from Concordia Seminary St. Louis, Mo.; and Doctor of Ministry from Portland Seminary - George Fox University, Ore.

David always considered himself blessed beyond measure to be called to serve the Lord and His people in so many areas, each of them equal in his devotion. David’s life as husband, father, PawPaw, and Great-PawPaw to his large family gave him enormous joy. Almost 60 years of pinochle with lifelong friends was a highlight of David’s long life. Beach-bum friends and family time in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina was a must to make the best memories.

This St. Louis Cardinals fan tuned into as many games as possible - no matter where his travels took him - he was hoping for a better season this year!

Soli Deo Gloria — To God alone be the glory.

 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." — 1 Peter 2:9

Visitation will be held from 3:30 – 5:30 pm, Friday, April 17, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church, 1810 McClintock Ave., Belleville, IL. 

Funeral Service will begin at 5:30 pm, Friday at the church.

Graveside Service with military honors will be Monday, April 20, 2026, with a formal procession departing promptly at 10:30 am, from The Orchards Clubhouse, 1499 Golf Course Dr., Belleville. Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, Ill., is serving the Wollenburg family. Online messages may be shared with the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to either Concordia Seminary (https://www.csl.edu/give/) or Ministry to the Armed Forces Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (https://www.lcms.org/ministry-to-the-armed-forces).