David W. Markowich

died peacefully at home in Columbus, OH on July 5, 2024, surrounded and supported by family

members and friends.

In Milwaukee, his family suffered the tragic loss of his 2 year-old sister, Jackie, which he

mourned throughout his life. They moved to Los Angeles, and then to Burbank, CA when Dave

was in grade school. There, he came to know God's Immense Love for all people, as he spent

time at Camp Yolijwa (Youth Living Jesus’ Way), and in Lutheran congregations. The family

later moved to Livonia, MI, where they joined a Lutheran church. Dave felt called to share

God’s Grace and Love with others as a pastor of the E.L.C.A., graduating from Wittenberg

College and The Chicago Lutheran Seminary. He served churches in Detroit (Reformation) and

Flint ((Holy Trinity), where he was active in the Civil Rights movement. In Oxford, OH, he

served as parish and campus pastor (Faith Lutheran), then pastored a church in Columbus, Ohio

(Holy Trinity). While in Columbus, he completed his Doctor of Ministry degree. Dave touched

many lives, leading with compassion and preaching with vulnerability, making God's word

relevant for today, and calling listeners, through his words and deeds, “to do justice and to love

kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). "We are family" was a persistent

theme, as impressed upon him by his father. And for Dave, "family" included all human beings;

and he had a warm place in his heart for our animal companions, too. Upon retiring as a parish

pastor, he worked as a hospital chaplain, supporting patients and staff at The Ohio State Wexner

Medical Center. During his 38 years of parish ministry, he served on several boards, including

Lutheran Social Services, Wittenberg University and the Lutheran School of Theology at

Chicago. He helped support and guide many pastoral candidates as a member of the Professional

Leadership Unit of the Ohio Synod. He also loved camping with family and friends, playing

bridge, handball and tennis, and traveling near and far. Dave took special delight in his beloved

grandchildren!

Dave was married to the devoted, caring and courageous love-of-his-life, Marge for 65 years.

They have 3 children, Deborah (David), Philip (late Melanie) and Susan (Tom). He leaves

behind siblings Jerry (Mary) and Mary, and was predeceased by Harry (Sue) and Jackie. Ten

grandchildren will miss him dearly: Addie, Gavin (Julie), Micah (Brianna), Andrew (Katie),

Noah (Brittany), Hannah (Nic), Daniel (Shelby), Adam (Eliah), Amy and Steven. Dave was

blessed with two great-grandsons, Coda and David. The family deeply grieves the losses of

grandson, Jacob, last year, and Phil's wife, Melanie, this year.

The family is grateful for the support of National Church Residences Hospice, as well as the

caring aides from Compassionate Caregivers, during the last months of his life.

David’s life will be celebrated at a service on Sunday, July 21st at 4pm, preceded by calling

hours from 2-4, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2001 Northwest Blvd., Columbus, OH 43212.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, the Alzheimer's

Association, or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.