of Conway, AR
December 26, 1937 - January 13, 2022
Wesley Michael Toncre entered his eternal rest in Jesus Christ1/13/2022. Wes was 84 years old. He is preceded by his parents
Walter Emil Toncre and Emma Baltrunat Toncre and sister Karen Marie Hoh. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Esther
Essinger Toncre, two daughters: Stephanie Toncre Anderson (Monty)of Maumelle, AR and Deann Toncre Koyn (Danny) of Covington, LA,
four grandchildren, Kellye Koyn Crouch (Richard), Jennifer Anderson Zanca (Jonathan), Matthew Koyn, Melissa Anderson Hill (Daylon),
three great grandchildren Wesley Zanca, Micah Crouch, Levi Crouch, five nieces and one nephew.
Wes was born December 26, 1937 in Cleveland Ohio. He attended St. John Nottingham Lutheran School and Lutheran High School in
Cleveland, OH, followed by Concordia Jr. and Sr. Colleges, Ft Wayne, IN. He received his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St.
Louis, MO in 1962 where he would return to complete his Doctorate of Ministry in 1991. He married Esther, the love of his life, on June 6,
1960. They enjoyed meeting many people in the churches and communities they served, spending time with family and traveling.
Wes was ordained as a pastor of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod June 23, 1962 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Warren, Ohio. He
served as shepherd to the following parishes: King of Kings Lutheran Church, Phoenix, AZ; St Matthew's Lutheran Church, Miami, FL;
Trinity Lutheran Church, Gadsden, AL; St. Paul Lutheran Church, Shreveport, LA; Trinity Lutheran Church, Panama City, FL. After
retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Wes and Esther moved to Conway, AR where he provided pastoral care at numerous Lutheran
congregations to include Zion Lutheran Church, Avilla; Trinity Lutheran Church, Heber Springs; Trinity Lutheran Church, North Little
Rock, St. John's, Russellville; Faith Lutheran Church, Fairfield Bay and Peace Lutheran Church, Conway.
He proclaimed and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever he went and was instrumental in building, growing, rescuing and vision-
tasking to so many congregations throughout his almost-60 year ministry. We are blessed to know that so many people follow their
Savior because of his determined dedication that others might know and follow their Savior.
The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 12 at Peace Lutheran Church-800 Donaghey Ave. Conway, AR 72034. Visitation at
the church begins at 9:30 with the service at 10:30. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Peace Lutheran Church-Conway, the
Mid-South District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Scholarship Fund
(www.mid-southlcms.org) or Lutheran Hour Ministries (www.lhm.org
Sign Guestbook
18 Condolence(s)
Gwyn Ruwe Borcherding
Sunday, June 26, 2022
I learned of Pastor Toncre’s passing in the Lutheran Witness. So I am just reaching out now. May the Lord comfort you and strengthen your faith as you journey on here without your loved one. May you remember that in the Sacrament at the Altar we join him, and saints and angels in worshiping the Risen Lord Jesus until that time when we are all gathered together in that blessed place.
Pastor’s ministry in Gadsden was so important for our family even though we were there only for a year. We thank God for that time and congregation.
The peace of Christ be with you all.
Gwyn Ruwe Borcherding
Dean and Kelly Ruwe
Guy Ruwe
Chad Ruwe
Wayne & Nancy Moehling
Saturday, February 12, 2022
We will always treasure the comfort Pastor Toncre gave to us . Our son died and we were without a pastor at our home church,Good Shepherd.. Everything we needed he provided. God bless Esther and the remaining family.
jerry DeGroot
Saturday, February 12, 2022
Roy and LaDonna Yeager
Friday, February 11, 2022
Roy and LaDonna Yeager
Friday, February 11, 2022
Dear Esther, We wish peace and comfort and send our love. We loved the time that Pastor Wes and you were here with us. I always looked forward to a hug Sunday morning at Sunday School you and Pastor. Our lives were made better because of you both. Blessing to your Family and hope we can see you some day.
Debra and Anthony Thomas
Friday, February 11, 2022
So sorry to hear of Pastor Toncre’s passing. He will be missed.
Margaret Waters
Monday, February 7, 2022
Pastor Wes, taught me that God is not only a stern law setting Father in heaven, but also a loving, caring, huggable Daddy. That did so much to make me feel like drawing closer to God our Daddy in heaven.
My thoughts and prayers are for you and your family to have the peace that comes from God. I love you. ðŸ™âœï¸
Don Smith
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Esther & the entire Toncre Family,
Wes was the exemplar of a pastor. Upon meeting him, people could sense the power of his presence. The goodness of his soul. The reassurance of his voice. And the Spirit of God behind his smiling eyes.
His service to Trinity in Gadsden did not end when he moved on, it remained in those he had taught, counseled and prayed with - and who were enthralled by his sermons.
He was a game-changer for all of us. He made more than a difference in our lives - he made us realize our purpose.
His greatness lives on in all he touched. We were blessed, indeed, to know him.
Don Smith
Paul Meloun
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
My sincere condolences. A great shepherd, wonderful mentor and good friend. I cherish the times we shared as friends and the memorable times we enjoyed as members of Trinity in Gadsden. God bless.
Kathryn Moffett
Monday, January 31, 2022
Dear Esther and family, so sorry to hear of this wonderful shepherd passing, but we all know where he is up there among all the angels in heaven. What a shepherd he was to all of us at Trinity Lutheran
in Gadsden, Alabama. so strong in his belief and his shepherding to all of us there. Love to you and the girls. Kathy Moffett
Paul Spitzfaden
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
My condolences to Esther and family. Pastor Wes came to Covington, Louisiana when visiting his daughter DeeDee and son-in-law Pastor Danny Koyn. He substituted for Pastor Koyn in worship service and adult bible studies. His sermon was dynamic and uplifting. His manner was encouraging. He shared his biblical knowledge freely. What more can you ask for. A good and faithful servant. I wish I had known him better.
Deanna Hasty
Friday, January 21, 2022
Precious Jesus, please be with Pastor Wes’ family in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Wrap them in your loving arms, and give them the peace and comfort only you can give. Amen
Sending love & hugs to you, Esther.
Steven Washington
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Cheryl and I were on our first Call in Ministry there in Shreveport and fondly remember the encouraging Fellowship of Wes. We thank our Lord for blessing our lives with his loving support.
Rev. Steven & Dr. Cheryl Washington
Trinity, Selma, Alabama
Rev. Rod and Vera Loose
Thursday, January 20, 2022
We thank God for the wonderful memories we have of our friendship with Wes and Esther, serving the Lord together in the Southern District along with meeting up at LWML conventions and other memorable events. May GOD watch over you, Esther, and your family and give you peace knowing that you will be reunited with Wes in our heavenly home!
Val Fisher
Thursday, January 20, 2022
An amazing man & wonderful pastor!! It was such a gift for our church to have him as our pastor for several months. His sermons were powerful & meaningful. He truly touched many many lives with his deep faith & he will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to know him. God speed, Pastor Wes.
Bill and Joan Marshall
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Pastor Toncre was a wonderful Pastor and special friend to us and will be missed. Prayers to the familyðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™
Connie Helmich
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Prayers of peace. My family was blessed by the short time at Zion Lutheran.
Mike & Julie Avey
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
It was such a privilege to get to know Pastor and Mrs. Toncre. I loved his preaching while he came to St. John's in Russellville. I also loved that he reminded me of my own father in looks, personality and mannerisms. We miss you and will see you again someday.