Approximately 150 people attended the 8:30 a.m. Church service at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Dieterich on Sunday, August 15. Rev. Steve Geske from Chicago a great-great-great grandson of Co-Founder, Christian Ebeling was the speaker.
The Special Service was in honor of the 14 Co-Founders of St. Johns, January 1, 1860 and their descendants. The Co-Founders were Friedrich Mascher, Heinrich Kraas, Wilhelm Endebrock, Gottlieb Buhler, Carl Helmbrecht, Julius Schonwald, Friederich Prosbold, Christian Ebeling, Christian Soltwedel, Daniel Schormann, Heinrich Kuhlmann, Heinrich Schmidt, August Schormann, and Christian Kraas.
After the service a brief skit was given by Carol Jean Campbell and Dave Parker about the history of St. John's. Following a brief history of each Co-Founder, pictures were taken of each Co-Founder's descendants present. A brunch was then served in the Fellowship Hall with more introductions.
Each person when leaving the Church services was presented with a wooden cross, which was made by Gary Schmidt of Pryor, OK, a descendant of Heinrich Schmidt.
On Sunday afternoon the Heinrich and Mina Schmidt descendants and their families gathered at the home of Marilyn Draves of rural Dieterich for visiting and a potluck supper with chicken catered by the Wagon Wheel Cafe in Dieterich.
Those present were Rev. Charles and Joyce Geirke of Omaha, Nebraska, Gary Schmidt of Pryor, OK, Bruce Schmidt of Decatur, Priscilla Schmidt of Stonington, David and Carol Althoff of Watson, Devin and Megan Althoff and Loren Elizabeth of St. Joseph, Larry and Wanda Gossman of Wilmington, Cory and Renee Courson, Mark and Megan Haarman and Kaylee Rose, all of Effingham, Keith and Marlene Ruholl, Janelle Eck, Terry and Marsha Courson, Andy and Andrea Courson, Katie, and Abby, Lisa Lewis, Dylan, and Audra, Tim and Cheryl Hardiek, Michelle, Kendra, Kyle and Mitch, Marilyn Draves, David and Peggy Schmidt, Mark and Morgan, Paul and RaeLynn Schmidt, Rachel, Briar, and Allison, all of Dieterich, Chris and Lori Flach, Austin, Tanner, and Dalton of Montrose, Mike and Vickie Draves, Jake, and Logan of Oblong.
Rev. Charles and Joyce Geirke of Omaha, NE arrived in Effingham on Friday and were met by Janelle Eck and Marilyn Draves who joined them for supper. Saturday morning the Geirke's, Janelle, Carol Althoff, and Gary Schmidt visited various places in Effingham and Dieterich, including St. John Lutheran cemetery, Effingham where Heinrich and Mina Schmidt are buried, the "Cross," St. John Lutheran Church, Effingham, the Veterans Memorial in Dieterich, St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Dieterich, of which Heinrich was one of the Co-Founders, King Cemetery which is located on former Schmidt ground and Elliottstown which had the local Post Office in 1860.
This was the Geirke's first visit to Effingham county.
