BOARD OF ELDERS

Trinity's Board of Elders is a leadership group that exists to pray for, encourage, and assist the pastoral staff of Trinity as it serves the congregation. Elders are essential to our Sunday morning worship logistics and member connections, and meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday.

In addition, each Elder serves as a spiritual support and model of discipleship for the Trinity Lutheran family. Alongside the duties to SUPPORT WORSHIP, the elders CONNECT INDIVIDUALLY with congregation members via phone, text, email, and cards to demonstrate the forgiveness and love of the resurrected Christ! To this end, our Board of Elders is divided into Family Groups to benefit and better serve our congregation by giving a recognizable face and personal contact when prayers and support can be given.

ELDER FAMILY CONNECTIONS

Each Elder is connected to a specific family group listed by alphabetical order.

ABBOTT - BILL

Ryan Kaiser

Ryan has been a member of Trinity since he and his family relocated to Bloomington in November of 2016. He and his wife Kassandra have two children Brayden (11) and Mackenzie (7) who attend Trinity Lutheran School. Ryan works in the P&C Claims department for State Farm. He can be found coaching, cheering on his children in their many activities, or rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals.

BILLINGTON - CASAGRANDE

Michael Irving

Michael is married to Karen and they have one daughter, Andrea, who is in college. The Irvings joined Trinity in December of 2002 after participating in the Adult New Member class and typically attend 10:30 worship. Michael has served Trinity in many roles through the years including Lay Director and Elder. His "day job" for 30+ years is with State Farm as an IT Analyst. For fun, Michael likes to spend time with his family taking road trips, adventuring, and playing board games. You might also find him hanging out with the High School Youth.

CASE - DITMAN

Andrew Offermann

Andrew grew up in Decatur and attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He and his wife, Erin have been at Trinity since 2015. Andrew is the manager of Rehab Services at OSF St. James in Pontiac. He and Erin have four children; Emma (grade 9), Luke (grade 7), Caleb (grade 4), and Grace (grade 3). The Offermanns are big St. Louis Cardinal fans. Additionally, Andrew enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with family and kids.

DITBENNER - FREITAG

Craig Bertsche, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF ELDERS

Craig has been a member of Trinity since 2009. A Chenoa native, he is married to Allison and has two daughters; Meredith, and Caroline. Craig attends 10:30 worship and serves as Usher and Communion Assistant. He is an Agent Experience Analyst at State Farm and a sideline reporter for ISU Football Radio. Craig enjoys attending his daughters activities, music, gardening, and helping on his parents farm that has been in the family for over 130 years.

FRENCH - HARTKE

Jarrod Windhorn

Jarrod grew up in Cissna Park, IL, and was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Woodworth, IL. He has been a member of Trinity since 2005. Jarrod is married to Kelly and they have a son, Parker, and a daughter, Alexis. While not working in Fleet Maintenance for the Town of Normal, Jarrod enjoys fishing, sports, hiking, hobby models, and shooting.

HARTRUP - JOHNSTON

Mike Ogden

Mike has been a member of Trinity Lutheran since 1992 and generally attends 8:15 worship. He is a Network Engineer at State Farm. Mike, and his wife Stephanie, have three sons. Mike enjoys doing anything outdoors and is a St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan.

JONES - LEACH

THOMAS WIRSING

Thomas was born in central Illinois, grew up in Michigan, and was confirmed at Wittenberg Lutheran Center at ISU. He’s been a member of Trinity since 1997 and lives in Bloomington with the love of his life, Angela, and children Nathan and Elizabeth. Thomas works in accounting at Watershed foods in Gridley. He enjoys movies, history, and watching sports of all kinds - especially rooting on his alma mater, Purdue, and teams from Detroit.

LEAKE - MEYER

Dave Dietsch

Dave has been a member of Trinity for 18 years. He is married to Gayle, who teaches Kindergarten at Trinity Lutheran School. They have three children; Kelly, Paul, and Danny. Dave and Gayle own rental properties and enjoy family time with their children. Dave is a fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets, NIU, and the San Francisco 49ers.

MICHAELS - OLSON

WALLY BERGMANN

Wally and his wife Karen have been members of Trinity since 1975 other than a short period of time when Wally’s career in agriculture and industrial chemicals took them to Memphis, TN. They have been blessed with one son and three grandchildren. Together Wally and Karen enjoy traveling, reading, dancing, card games, singing, handbells, and senior classes at ISU. Wally has been active and led to serve in various ministries and looks forward to returning to the Board of Elders.

O'MADDEN - RICHARDS

Everette Carney

Everette is a Bloomington native, graduating from Normal Community and Illinois State. He is a Procurement Specialist at State Farm. Everette has been a member of Trinity since 2015. He and his wife Susan have one daughter, Lauren, who attended TLS. The family has a Flame Point Ragdoll cat named Aria. Everette enjoys nature, history, and spending time with family and friends.

RIDDLE - SHEPHERD

ERIC DEWERFF

Eric is married to Cassie and they have two children, Gavin, age 6 and Naomi, age 4. He grew up on a farm in Nokomis, IL, where he attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Eric is Ag Products Manager for Altorfer Ag Products. In his free time he helps his Dad farm and enjoys hiking, gardening, and camping. He is a huge Cardinals, Blues, Packers, and Illini fan. Eric and family attend 8:15 worship where he serves on the usher team.

SHIELDS - SWENSON

Chris Westbrook

Chris was born and raised in Bowling Green, KY. Baptized and confirmed at Trinity in 2000, Chris has enjoyed the opportunity to serve as an Elder, Usher, Communion Assistant, and as VBS Crew and Station Leader. He is married to Amy and they have one daughter, Emma, a freshman at U-High. Chris has been with State Farm for over 25 years. He enjoys watching and playing golf, attending Emma's activities, collecting sports cards and memorabilia, and spending time with family.

SWICK - WALKER

NORM EBORG

Norm, an Ohio native, was born and raised in the small town of Old Fort. He began attending Trinity in 1989 and became a confirmed member in 2007. Norm is married to Darlene and they have 6 children, 13 grandchildren and look forward to becoming great-grandparents in the fall of 2023. Norm is semi-retired and is a Notary, primarily for real-estate closings. He has served the Lord at Trinity as both an usher and an Elder.

WALLACE - ZURKAMMER

Justin Stanek

Having grown up in northeast Iowa, Justin came to Bloomington-Normal as a graduate student thinking he would be here for a short 2 years - eighteen years later he's still here. Justin and his wife Sara joined Trinity shortly after they were married. Their two children, Adam, grade 2, and Evelyn, Kindergarten, attend TLS. Justin is a professor and Program Director for the Master of Athletic Training program at ISU. In his spare time he enjoys training and participating in endurance events such as triathlons and marathons.

BOARD OF LAY MINISTRY

Lay Directors make up Trinity's Board of Lay Ministry, a GOVERNING BODY of the congregation made up of volunteers who have been members of Trinity Lutheran (or another LCMS congregation) for at least two years. Each Lay Director SERVES ALONGSIDE the church staff, representing a specific ministry area, to create and report on long and short term goals. The Board of Lay Ministry meets monthly on the second Tuesday to share reports and conduct the business of the congregation.

If you would like to contact a member of our Board of Lay Ministry, you may do so through the church office.

Vickie Kauffman : Assimilation

Maribeth Lartz : Care & Concern

Dianne Lehner : Christian Growth

Teri Meismer : Communications

Craig Bertsche : Board of Elders

Sara Hlava : Family Life

Lori Rusher : Fellowship

Doug Miller : Missions

Joe Elble Jr. : Properties

Angie Frazier : School Administration