Reverend Doctor Peter Mealwitz

The Reverend Doctor Peter Mealwitz, 88, died November 13, 2023 in Elyria.  He was born July 28, 1935 in Boston, MA and attended the historic first public high school in the USA, Boston Latin School, founded in 1635. Alumni include U.S. Presidents John and John Quincy Adams, Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. Peter continued his education at Concordia Prep School in Bronxville, NY. He excelled in sports and was a 4-letter man in football, basketball, baseball, and track. In his senior year, the Westchester County sports writers named him “Mealticket Mealwitz” after scoring four touchdowns in one game and was second in touchdowns in the county. Peter furthered his theological studies at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees. In 1974, he earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree at Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, OH.

In 1959, Peter married Claudette (nee Chrien) of Canton, OH. They were happily married for 62 years until Claudette suddenly died on Reformation Sunday, October 31, 2021.

Dr. and Mrs. Mealwitz had children; Scott (Lisa) of LaGrange, OH; Kimberly (Daniele) Pausa of Trieste, Italy and Todd of Elyria, OH. Also surviving are grandchildren; Nataniele Pausa of Charlotte, NC, Emily Pausa of San Diego, CA, Christina Mealwitz of Columbus, OH and twin boys, Kevin and Matt Mealwitz of Parma, OH.

Dr. Mealwitz began his Christian Lutheran ordained ministry as a professor and Director of Seminary Relations at Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL. His first parish church (1963-1969) was the Tallmadge Lutheran Church in Tallmadge, OH. Peter and Claudette were active in the Church and community. Peter was a member of the Ministerial Association, YMCA board of directors, Director of the American Association of Foreign Exchange Students, member of the Tallmadge Couples Club, and served as campus chaplain at Kent State University.

After seven years in Tallmadge, the family moved to Elyria, OH where Peter became Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church (1969-1997). He was a member of the Ministerial Association, a 50 plus year member of the Elyria Rotary Club, YMCA Board of Directors, Friends of the Elyria Public Library, tax preparer for AARP, Cleveland Children's, and Family Services (Emeritus member), Cleveland Metro and Chaplaincy Associations, and Lutheran Hour Ministries. Dr. and Mrs. Mealwitz were members of the Elyria Country Club, Lorain County Historical Society, Cleveland Art Museum, Cleveland Natural Science Museum, and Cleveland Zoological Society. For 25 years, Peter and Claudette were coordinators of the Lake Erie Pastors conference in October in Port Clinton, OH.

The Mealwitzs enjoyed travel and formed “Mealwitz Travelers” to host and lead group travel. They hosted 2,000 people in 164 countries of the world and sailed on 208 ocean cruise ships and river boats. Religious tours included the Holy Land, Journeys of St. Paul, Land of Martin Luther (Germany), Oberammergau Passion Play (Germany). Sabbatical leave studies included post-doctoral seminar in Jerusalem, manuscript wiring the Portals of Prayer devotional booklet by Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, Goethe language school in Rotenberg Germany, and Christian Art and Italian cooking in Florence, Italy.

Dr. Mealwitz retired from the active pastoral ministry in 1997. After the New York Twin Tower terrorist attacks in 2001, cruise companies sought ministers for worship services and counseling. He served 20 years for Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, Royal, and Holland American cruise lines. He was an interim minister for weddings and funerals. He lectured and taught at Lorain County Community College, and to local groups.

Peter’s interests included golf, bridge, gourmet eating, reading World War II German history, religion, and novels. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Elyria, OH.

God gave Dr. Mealwitz a full Christian life in accord with his favorite Bible passage – Jesus words in John 10:10 – “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly”.

Dr. Peter Mealwitz now rests in the sleep of death. R.I.P. (Requiescat in Pacem). May he rest in peace until the day of the Resurrection. 

A private burial service was at Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria.  A memorial service will be announced at a future date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 9685 East River Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035 or a charity of choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Reverend Doctor Peter Mealwitz, please visit our floral store.