Charles Benjamin "Ben" Misch

The Rev. Charles Benjamin "Ben" Misch, 86, a longtime area Lutheran pastor, died on Sept. 3, 2015, in Chandler.

The Rev. Misch was born in 1929 in Bozeman, Montana, to Erna and Otto Misch. His father and brother Mark Misch also were Lutheran pastors, as are his son Steven and two grandsons. He grew up loving the high country of the Gallatin Gap and the Three Rivers area. Attending both Concordia High School and Concordia College (now University) in Seward, Nebraska, he played violin and catcher on the baseball team. In 1950, he entered Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. During his intern (vicarage) year of studies he met his future wife, Thekla Malotky, in Blue Earth, Minnesota.

Following his graduation from the seminary in 1954, the two married and moved to their first congregation in Greenville, Michigan. In 1957 they moved to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cloquet, Minnesota. He also served a district of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as chairman of evangelism and counselor of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. In 1975 he came to Trinity Lutheran Church in Casa Grande and Christ Lutheran Church in Coolidge. In 1993 he retired after 39 years in ministry but continued to serve Christ Lutheran on a part-time basis for 11 more years. The couple also traveled around the world, visiting various countries including Israel, China and Russia.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Steven and Fred; and three grandsons. He was preceded in death by his brother.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.