The Reverend James L. Barkenquast

The Reverend James L. Barkenquast, 92, of Bucyrus, entered his eternal home in Heaven on Friday, September 20, 2024.

Pastor Jim was born April 3, 1932 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Jacob L. and Isabella “Ruth” (Harpst) Barkenquast. He was a 1949 graduate of DeVilbiss High School in Toledo, graduating valedictorian of his class. He then continued his education at Deep Springs College in California before receiving his BA from Wittenberg University in 1954. In 1957 Jim earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Hamma School of Theology (now Trinity Lutheran Seminary) and was ordained on May 22, 1957. 

He served his first pastorate at Trinity Lutheran Church in Findlay, Ohio, where he served for a few years before entering Language Studies at Oberlin College and Erlangen University in Germany. Jim then served at the national office for the Lutheran Church in America in Philadelphia.

In 1965 he went to Moscow, USSR to serve as chaplain to the English-speaking people there. While in Moscow, he married Edith “Beverly” Barnes on September 25, 1965, and they shared 48 years of marriage until her passing on November 5, 2013. 

Pastor Jim and Bev returned to Philadelphia, where Pastor Jim worked in Parish Education for the next 11 years. In 1978 Jim returned to the pulpit, serving as pastor at Our Risen Lord Lutheran Church in Burton, Michigan, and in 1988 came to serve at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bucyrus, from which he retired in 1994. 

After retirement, Pastor Jim served as an interim minister for 25 years at area churches, including Bethlehem Lutheran in Attica, St. Paul in Sulphur Springs, Trinity in Willard, St. Paul in Upper Sandusky, Zion Lutheran in Republic, and St. John’s UCC in Bucyrus. He served as a parliamentarian on many occasions and was also a chaplain in the Chaplains Corps Naval Reserve, with no active duty. He was currently a member of Good Hope Lutheran Church in Bucyrus. 

Pastor Jim loved the Lord and praised God every day of his life. He loved to sing and write hymn lyrics and show the love of Christ to everyone. 

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Martin Becker; sister-in-law, Joan Barkenquast, as well as nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by siblings Jane Lautzenheiser, Alice (Paul) Ames, and David Barkenquast. 

Calling hours for Pastor Barkenquast will be held from 1-3 and 6-8 pm Friday, October 4 at Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio and from 9-10:55 am Saturday, October 5 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 326 S. Main St., Attica, Ohio, where his funeral will begin that morning at 11:00 am with the Reverend Edward Hunker officiating. Graveside committal service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, October 7 in Ferncliff Cemetery in Springfield, Ohio with the Reverend Tanyce Addison officiating. 

If desired, donations can be made payable to Good Hope Lutheran Church, Lutheran Social Services of NW Ohio, or to Wittenberg University. These gifts will be accepted through the funeral home or at the church on the morning of services. Memories are encouraged to be shared on his guestbook at www.wisefuneral.com.