The Rev. Canon Louis E. Hemmers – rector emeritus of Trinity Church in Redlands – died March 11 at age 93, “peacefully surrounded by the love of his family,” a parish obituary notes. “He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, priest, and community leader. A man of deep faith, warm humor, and generous spirit,” he “lived a life devoted to service — to God, to the church, and to the communities he loved.”
Survivors include his loving wife of more than 67 years, Joan; his children Margaret (Megg) Giufurta and her husband Chaz of Richmond, Va.; Kathleen Liess and her husband, Tobias, of Redlands, Calif.; his daughter-in-law Lysandra Jones-Hemmers of Prescott, Ariz.; and his cherished grandchildren Alison Gomon-Bowling, John Gomon,and Makenna Liess. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Hemmers.
A funeral service celebrating Lou’s life will be held on Friday, March 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 419 S. 4th St., Redlands, Calif. 92373, where Hemmers served as rector from 1981 to 2002. Bishop John Harvey Taylor will officiate.
Hemmers was born in Elkhart, Indiana, and graduated from Elkhart High School. From an early age he possessed a remarkable voice and presence that led him into broadcasting.
He worked as a narrator and announcer on both local and nationally aired radio programs originating in Detroit, including “Scoop Ryan,” “Cub Reporter,” “Stairway to the Stars,” “The Green Hornet” “The Lone Ranger,” and “Know Your FBI.” His talent for storytelling and communication would remain a hallmark of his life.
Hemmers tapped this expertise in the 1980s as a member of the diocesan Program Group on Communications, appointed by then-Bishop Robert C. Rusack.
His curiosity about the world extended beyond the microphone. Early in life he earned his pilot’s license, reflecting a spirit of adventure and a lifelong eagerness to explore.
Hemmers served his country in the U.S. Army, including 18 months in Korea, where he also worked with the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. After completing his military service, he continued in broadcasting and television. He became a familiar personality on weather, news, and children’s programs on WSJV-TV in the Elkhart/South Bend area. He later served as staff announcer for WUOM-FM and news director for WPAG in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Hemmers graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and went on to become news director for WXEX-TV in Richmond, Virginia. Yet a deeper calling soon emerged. In 1962, he chose to pursue theological studies and entered Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill. Upon graduation he was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church, beginning a ministry that would shape countless lives.
His fir as vicar of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marysville, Kan. He later served as rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Belleville, Ill., and was appointed Archdeacon of Alton, later named honorary archdeacon. During his time in Illinois, he also served the wider community as chairman of the governor’s Equal Opportunity Administrative Committee and hosted Sunday Morning, a 30-minute news program on KMOX-TV in St. Louis.
Hemmers later became rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Louisville, Ky. Eventually he and his family were called to Trinity Church in Redlands, where he served faithfully as rector for 20 years. Under his leadership, Trinity grew as a place of worship, service, and community. He was named honorary canon of the Cathedral Center of St. Paul in 1993 by then-Bishop Frederick H. Borsch in recognition for contributions to the Diocese of Los Angeles and the larger church. Upon his retirement, Hemmers was honored with the title rector emeritus, a reflection of the deep love and respect held for him by his parish.
Beyond the church, Hemmers remained deeply involved in civic life in Redlands. He served three terms on the board of managers of Plymouth Village, contributed to the Redlands 2000 Committee, and was a proud 15-year member of the Sunrise Rotary Club. He also led four pilgrimages to the Holy Land, experiences that enriched the faith of those who traveled with him and deepened his own lifelong love of scripture and sacred history.
Hemmers and his wife, the former Joan Skerry Olsen, were married on Aug. 23, 1958, at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka, Kan. “Together they built a remarkable partnership grounded in faith, service, curiosity, and love. Their marriage was a testament to enduring devotion and shared purpose,” the parish obituary notes. The couple shared a love of travel that took them around the world—from Europe to the South Pacific and throughout the Holy Land—adventures that reflected their curiosity about the world and their appreciation for its people and cultures.
Hemmers also had a deep passion for golf, a game he enjoyed playing both at home and across the globe. Whether on familiar local courses or fairways in far-off places, the game brought him great joy and many cherished friendships.
Those who knew Hemmers “remember a gifted storyteller, a compassionate pastor, and a man who never missed an opportunity to connect with others,” the parish obituary notes. “Whether preaching from the pulpit, greeting parishioners at the door, or sharing a story from his broadcasting days, he brought warmth, humor, and authenticity to every conversation.
“Above all, he lived his faith through kindness, service, and joy. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched, the communities he strengthened, and the family he loved so deeply.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, Trinity Episcopal Camp, or the Trinity Episcopal Altar Guild. Contributions can be mailed to: Trinity Episcopal Church, 419 S. 4th St., Redlands, CA 92373