Rev. Brian Ray Peltomaa

The Rev. Brian Ray Peltomaa, 61, former resident of Crestline and Mansfield, died Thursday, January 9, 2025 at the Sanctuary at Wilmington Place, Dayton. 

 Brian was born Nov. 7, 1963 in Painesville, the son of Raymond E. and Donna H. (Werronen) Peltomaa. He grew up in Mentor and graduated from Mentor High School in 1982, where he was a member of the TOP 25 Musical Group.

 He studied Recreation and Leisure Education at the University of Toledo, graduating in 1986. While there, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, and served on the staff and later as director of Camp Stigwandish in Madison. 

 Brian met his wife, the former Bonnie J. Humberston, in the singles group at church. They married Nov. 24, 1990 at All Saints Lutheran Church in Worthington. Together they embarked on a career in ministry, both becoming ordained pastors in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). Brian served as intern pastor at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Almira, WA and Trinity Lutheran Church in Wilbur, WA, and graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus in 1994. 

 During his career, Brian served as pastor of First Lutheran Church in Plymouth, First English Lutheran Church in Crestline, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Willard. He was also interim pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Upper Sandusky. He retired in 2010 following a stroke and became a member of his wife’s congregation, St. Timothy Lutheran Church, in Mansfield. Brian and Bonnie moved to Dayton in 2021, where he enjoyed spending time with his grandsons. He was an avid Cleveland Guardians baseball and OSU football fan and loved sharing the games with his friends and family. 

 Survivors include his wife, Rev. Bonnie Peltomaa of Dayton; daughter, Anastasia (Clint) Rodgers of Kettering; grandsons, Camden and Ezekiel Rodgers; mother, Donna Peltomaa, brother, Kirk Peltomaa, and sister-in-law, Linda Peltomaa, all of Columbus; and niece, Aja (Sterling) Tamburello of Orlando, FL.

 Brian was preceded in death by his father in 2017, and his brother, Vern Peltomaa in 2022.

 Friends may call Friday, January 31 from 10:00am-11:30am at All Saints Lutheran Church, 6770 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085 where a funeral worship will be held at 11:30am. Clergy will vest and process; the color of the day is white. Inurnment will take place at All Saints Lutheran Church Columbarium, reception following. 

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial gifts to Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2199 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209 in Brian’s name or to Hopewood Outdoors (LOMO), 2480 W Dublin-Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43235.