Rev. John W. Saleska

Rev. John Saleska, 87, whom God adopted as his own beloved child at his Baptism, now rests with Jesus, where he is waiting with all of us for the Resurrection that God promised him in Christ. John was born on November 27, 1929, into the family of the Rev. Edward John Saleska and his wife, Lydia Christine, née Dau. John was baptized four days later, and for the rest of his life found his hope and joy in the Word of our faithful God. John graduated from St. Paul’s College (Concordia, MO), Concordia Seminary and Wichita State University where he earned a Master’s Degree. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor’s Degree from Concordia University Chicago. Rev. Saleska served as a professor at St. John’s Academy and College in Winfield, KS from 1954 to 1978 and then as a professor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN from 1978 to 2000. For the past 17 years, Rev. Saleska served on behalf of Concordia University Wisconsin as the Director of the Concordia Bible Institute. In this capacity, Rev. Saleska was able to continue teaching the Scriptures to countless people—the calling he loved the most. Rev. Saleska is survived by his faithful wife of 63 years, Sallie, his sisters Lois and Miriam, his four children, Timothy, Thomas, Tamara, and Thad, 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. John was an amazing husband, brother, father, teacher and friend. He will be remembered for his delightful sense of humor—especially when it came to polish jokes, his love of the St. Louis Cardinals, and his unbelievable ability to memorize and recite passages of Scripture. But we will especially remember him for his tenderness and compassion towards all those whose lives he touched. He taught all of us what it looks like to embody Grace in our real lives. He showed us how to live and move within it, and how to find joy and peace in it. For that we are eternally grateful. A service of hope and comfort for us who grieve will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, 10729 W. Freistadt Rd., Mequon, WI on Tuesday, September 19th at 11am. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:45am. Memorials to Concordia Bible Institute at Concordia University Wisconsin or Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church Freistadt, Mequon, WI. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4