Pastor Emil Blobaum

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ecblobaum@aol.com
Home: (217) 694-4102            
Cell: (217) 621-5286

GETTING TO KNOW EMIL BLOBAUM, THE OTHER "PASTOR B"

It used to be said that children of military career persons and children of clergy have a number of things in common.  First may be the place of their birth, often in places far from extended family.  I was born in Rhodes, Michigan, the fourth child among six siblings.  Similar to children of military, my “home” kept changing . . . from Michigan to Ogle County to Massac County, to Adams County in Illinois to Humboldt, Nebraska.  While it was not always easy to be changing schools, churches and communities, I adapted and was blessed with many memorable experiences and wonderful people along the way.  My father was a Lutheran Pastor and my mother grew up on a farm in Champaign County. 

After graduation from Camp Point, Illinois High School, I enrolled in Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree.   Education continued at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.  Both of the latter institutions of learning are affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 

I married Carolyn Durre of Minonk, Illinois, and we have two children, Daughter, Cindy and husband, Larry live in Tampa, Florida, parents to three of our grandchildren.  Son, Devin and wife, Carol live in St. Joseph, Illinois and are parents to two more of our grandchildren.  Carolyn, a church organist, and I are both retired and live in the rural home in which my mother grew up, north of St. Joseph.  We both are “Extra Help” at the U of I.  I am a gardener, beekeeper, and a member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Champaign.

My career began in 1963 when I was ordained in St. James Lutheran Church, Humboldt, Nebraska.  Peace Lutheran Church, Belgrade, Nebraska was my first Call in American Lutheran Church, a predecessor body of the ELCA.  Other parishes served in the following years were in Cedar Rapids, NE; (Yorktown) Tampico, Senecca, Glenwood, Mt. Vernon and Paxton, all in Illinois.  Since retirement, I have served three previous Interims in partnership with Pastor Vic who was also my college and seminary classmate.  I am excited about sharing in the life and on-going mission of Lutheran Church of Mahomet.

May God’s blessing rest on all of us and our mutual ministry.

Pastor Emil Blobaum