Lonnie R. Schlottmann

Lonnie Richard Schlottmann, born and educated in Washington County, passed away at the St. Joseph Regional Health Center, in Bryan, Texas, on Thursday, March 24, 2005.

Lonnie was born to William F. and Henrietta Kokemoor Schlottmann on May 22, 1919 in the Prairie Hill Community of Washington County. He was baptized on August 10, 1919, by Pastor F. Apfelbach at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Prairie Hill, and confirmed by Pastor Paul Gogolin on March 28, 1934 in the same church.

Lonnie attended Live Oak Hill and Prairie Hill Schools and graduated from Blinn College. He played baseball and basketball for Blinn College. After graduation he taught school for two years at Live Oak Hill School. He graduated with a degree in Radio Engineering from Tyler Commercial College in 1941, and received his first class operator’s license. He worked for KVIC in Victoria until February 1942, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the Military Intelligence Corp. during World War II, and was stationed in India for two and one half years, where he served as Staff Sergeant over communications. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Lonnie was united in marriage to Ruby Wernecke on January 9, 1946 in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church by Pastor Paul Gogolin. They made their home in the Prairie Hill community. After Lonnie’s discharge from the military in 1946, he began work for Brenham’s KWHI Radio Station where he served as chief engineer and announcer, delivering the noon news to local listeners for many years. Lonnie was one of the men responsible for KWHI going on the air nearly 60 years ago. He worked for KWHI for 38 years until his retirement in 1985.

In retirement, he enjoyed working with cattle, gardening, and being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He helped organize the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Lonnie was an active member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Prairie Hill where he served twice on the church council, was a member of the Brotherhood, taught Sunday School, and served as a lay reader and in the tape and home communions ministry. He will be greatly missed for his great sense of humor, his wisdom and his zest for life as he served others.

Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister, and a brother.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years Ruby Wernecke Schlottmann; daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and David Lange, Karen and Willie Rosenbaum, Debra and Glenn Kovar, and Linda and Morris McCulloch; grandchildren, Melissa and Drew Standley, Alison Lange and fiancé Jorge Guerrero, Mark Rosenbaum, Brian and Cristina Rosenbaum, Kyle and Stephanie Rosenbaum, Brent and Stacy Kovar, Rachel and Christopher Allen, Landon Fritz, Justin Fritz, Caitlin McCulloch and Morgan McCulloch; eight great-grandchildren; a brother Otto C. Schlottmann; sister-in-law Nelda Schlottmann; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, the Rev. Harold and Gretchen Wernecke, Dr. Robert and Sue Wernecke; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Hilda and Wilbert Horstmann; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the Schlottmann family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2005 at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

The funeral service will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Sue Beall, pastor at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Prairie Hill, at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 26, 2005. Burial will be in the church cemetery at Prairie Hill.

Lonnie’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials may be given to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Prairie Hill.

Funeral services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham 979.836.3611. www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com