He was an active member of the Peoples Church in Salem, where he sang in the choir and in several small groups, including the Brotherhood and New Beginnings. It was there that his sister Linna introduced him to Leza Child, who would become his wife, friend and ministry partner.
He was a self-employed contractor for over 15 years when he and Leza moved to New Hampshire. It was there he was led to attend the Faith School of Theology Bible College in Charleston, Maine, where he graduated in May 1992. They returned to Salem, Oregon, where he served on the board at the People’s Church. He became a full-time minister in 1998 and was the senior pastor at Doty Assembly of God in Doty, Washington, for over 20 years, retiring in June 2024.
He loved gardening, fishing, camping, playing cards with his friends and putting around his property doing small projects. He loved his friends, family and his Lord.
Surviving family includes wife, Leza Schimelpfenig; his brother, Dan Schimelpfenig, of Federal Way, Washington; his sister, Linna Polley, of Salem, Oregon; his sons, Evan Schimelpfenig, of Chehalis, Washington, and Nolan Schimelpfenig, of Gardner, Kansas; along with his daughter-in-law, Allison, and granddaughter, Clara.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. at People's Church, 4500 Lancaster Drive N.E., Salem, Oregon 97305.
