Obituary

Reimar A.C. Schultze, age 88, took his glorious flight through heaven's gates on May 14th, 2024. He was at his home surrounded by family and a powerful presence of God at the time of his passing. 

Reimar was born May 10, 1936, in Hamburg Germany. His parents were Alfred Schultze and Ilse (Bennigson) Schultze. His childhood was marked by the effects of being part Jewish during the Holocaust. God did miracles to protect him during this time.

He lost his father and his baby sister during the war. His mother and one brother have proceeded him in death since that time. He is survived by his sister Maria and his brother Martin; the love of his life, Marcia (VanZile) Schultze, whom he married on January 20th, 1962. They have four children: Esther (Robert) Morey, Karin (Donald) Litchfield, Cameron (Melissa) Schultze and Chester (Kim) Schultze. They enjoy 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. 

Reimar came to the States at age 19. He eventually went to Asbury Seminary and pastored for over 40 years. He is the author of five books and wrote the Call to Obedience newsletter with recipients in the U. S. and other countries. He preached every Sunday on WWKI in Kokomo for decades.

He loved his family and was faithful to do family times weekly as his children grew up. Mealtimes were always together. Tent camping vacations in the Rocky Mountains were an annual event at the very least. Reimar exemplified in front of his children how to listen to the voice of God and to make sacrifices to do what God said. His work in the local church was instrumental in growing saints who were deep in the word and who learned how to fight spiritual battles with prayer and faith. He taught them how to be faithful to their families and to their children.

Pastor Schultze's work overseas continues through his writings and through believers who he has discipled who are carrying on the work. For example, there are 3800 Call to Obedience newsletters distributed every month in Latvia alone. From that distribution, there have been 365 study groups which have formed and meet regularly to study the Call to Obedience newsletter and the Bible. Souls are saved and backsliders turned around through this newsletter there. These home study groups in Latvia have provided housing, food and safety to many Ukrainian refugees.  Many of these refugees have found new life and hope in Jesus. In Russia 10,000 Call to Obedience newsletters are distributed monthly and last year 2 crusades were held in Kaliningrad. There are active works in Egypt, India and so on.

In his prime, Reimar Schultze was an exceptional and captivating preacher.  He was clearly led of the Holy Spirit and had a special anointing upon his speaking and upon his study of the Word of God. He also had a dry sense of humor which he used in and out of the pulpit. This gave an enjoyable and unique flavor to his sermons.  The humor on a one-to-one basis was something that endeared him to many people including his family. Flying an airplane was something that Reimar dearly loved. The church in Kokomo was very supportive of this and provided him with an airplane. He used the plane for ministry going to different churches as well as just taking friends up for a ride.

His Holocaust roots gave him a different perspective than most Americans. He knew how to do what needed to be done whether you felt like it or not. It didn't matter if it was pleasant or not. We do the right thing because it's the right thing and God says to do it. This was difficult for a few of his early churches to appreciate as not everyone felt like their feelings were considered. However, as Reimar matured in the Lord, this trait set him head and shoulders above those who compromised the will of God for their own comfort levels.

Viewing times will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday evening, May 17, 2024, and again from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at In His Image Church, 2940 County Rd E 50 N, Kokomo, IN 46901. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday with Reverend Daniel Light officiating. A private burial will follow.

Donations in Reimar’s memory can be made to Call to Obedience to further the work around the world. Checks can be written to Call to Obedience and mailed to Kokomo Christian Fellowship, PO Box 299, Kokomo, IN 46903. Online giving is at the Kokomo Christian Fellowship website under missions or CTO.

For additional information and to view Reimar’s online obituary and tribute video, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.