July 13, 2010

CHICAGO – Three members of Fellowship Lutheran Church, Tulsa, Okla., died in a plane crash July 11 near Gundy's Airport in Owasso, Okla. Fellowship is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Lonnie Hardin, 55, Joseph Provenzano, 53, and Richard Shimer, 64, suffered injuries and died when their single-engine plane crashed about 100 yards from the runway, according to news reports.

"Rick, Lonnie and Joe will be greatly missed by their spouses and families and by Fellowship Lutheran Church. I give thanks that in Baptism they were marked with the cross of Christ forever. My prayers and the prayers of the ELCA Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod will continue to be with their spouses and families and with Fellowship Lutheran Church," said the Rev. Floyd M. Schoenhals, bishop, ELCA Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod, Tulsa.

"These deaths are such a loss to so many," wrote Jinni Young in a letter to members of Fellowship. Young is president of the congregation council.

"Joe, Lonnie and Rick each had many friends in our church family and also shared their talents and gifts (with) those less fortunate through involvements with various mission projects in the community and abroad. They each made a difference in the lives of so many and will be sorely missed," wrote Young.

Hardin and Shimer were involved with Oaks Indian Mission, an ELCA social ministry organization based in Oaks, Okla. Shimer served as treasurer of the mission for more than 10 years. Hardin, an attorney, offered legal expertise for the mission. His wife, Donna Hardin, is a member of the mission's board of directors.

"This is a huge loss for us," said the Rev. Don E. Marshall, development associate for the mission.

Oaks Indian Mission is a unique, unprecedented ministry that represents relationships between church and tribe, said Marshall. "It exists in the heart of the Cherokee Nation. We also work with other tribes, who place their children in our care. More than 90 percent of our budget comes from Lutheran congregations and individuals. The important work (Hardin and Shimer) contributed made our ministry stronger."

Funeral arrangements for Hardin, Provenzano and Shimer are pending.

Information about Fellowship Lutheran Church is at http://www.flctulsa.org/, and Oaks Indian Mission is at http://www.oaksindianmission.org/home/, on the Web.

ELCA News Service