Rev. Eimo and Patricia Hinrichs Expressing Their Love Through LSSI

Patricia and Rev. Eimo Hinrichs

Rev. Eimo and Patricia Hinrichs’ decades-long commitment to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is personal and professional. Longtime Bartonville residents and members of Bethel Lutheran Church, they first became involved with LSSI when it established a Peoria office in 1963. Rev. Hinrichs, a mental health chaplain for most of his career, served on LSSI’s local and statewide board.

In 1971 their affiliation with LSSI became more personal. That year they added to their family of two boys and a girl when they adopted an infant daughter, Susan, through LSSI. During adolescence and her early teens, Susan struggled with emotional problems and mood swings. She received weekly counseling and attended a teen support group for adoptees through LSSI, but in 1984 Susan took her own life.

Susan’s death profoundly impacted the Hinrichs. They founded the Survivors of Suicide Grief Support Group in 1989, which continues today and has helped more than 200 families coping with the suicide of a loved one. “I consider it a gift from God that we were able to reach out to others like us,” Patricia said.

Rev. Hinrichs has witnessed the great need for mental health and addiction services throughout his career. He particularly appreciates the services LSSI provides in this area. The Hinrichs see their support of LSSI as an extension of helping others who they see hurting or in need. They have supported LSSI with their philanthropic giving, including naming LSSI in their estate plan as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy

“I believe as Christians we need to respond to the needs of anyone who is hurting,” Rev. Hinrichs said. “Jesus is present in every person who is hurting or in need. LSSI provides a means to express our love as Christians to those in need.”