Obituaries
Please submit in writing to our office by 10 a.m. Thursday before the week of publication; be sure to state date of death. Obituaries of archdiocesan priests serving our archdiocese are listed elsewhere in The Criterion. Order priests and religious sisters and brothers are included here, unless they are natives of the archdiocese or have other connections to it; those are separate obituaries on this page.
Submit an obituary here (parishes and funeral homes only)
BILZ, Kathleen, 90, St. Barnabas, Indianapolis, Dec. 20. Wife of William Bilz. Sister of Bernice McCarty.
BOYLE, Thomas D., 41, Our Lady of the Greenwood, Greenwood, Dec. 6. Husband of Andrea Boyle. Father of Kira Boyle. Son of David and Rose Mary Boyle. Brother of Lisa Dietz and Kevin Boyle. Grandson of Paul Colosimo.
BRADFORD, Helen L. (LeRoy), 89, Our Lady of the Greenwood, Greenwood, Dec. 7. Mother of Kyle Ciresi, Kim Clarkson, Melia Schleitwiler, Andrew, Jeff, Jerry and Matt Bradford. Sister of Lillian Gipe. Grandmother of 17. Great-grandmother of 13.
BRAMBLE, Robert L. Jr., 52, St. Malachy, Brownsburg, Dec. 7. Husband of Kelly Bramble. Father of Alecia Bewley. Stepfather of Brittany Sullivan, Kimmie, Shannon and Jacob Howse. Son of Robert and Pansy Bramble. Brother of Carol Blair, Barbara Frazee, Linda Gowan and Mary Wetterer. Grandfather of one.
BROWN, Beth D., 89, Holy Spirit, Indianapolis, Dec. 2. Mother of Patricia Grandy, Lisa Morris, David, Keith and Stephen Brown. Sister of several. Grandmother of 11. Great-grandmother of six.
CONRAD, Doris V., 95, St. John the Evangelist, Indianapolis, Dec. 11. Wife of Fred Conrad. Mother of Mary Florence Forsythe, Cecilia, Stephen and Vincent Conrad. Grandmother of eight. Great‑grandmother of six.
CWIKLA, Angela D., 41, Holy Spirit, Indianapolis, Dec. 4. Wife of David Cwikla. Mother of Jake Cwikla. Sister of Montelle Berkshire, Erica Conrad and Heather Ray.
DOYLE, Berniece, 81, Holy Family, New Albany, Dec. 9. Mother of Lora Clasen and Mark Doyle. Sister of Mary Helen Peter, May and John Jacobi, Jr. Grandmother of two.
ELLIOTT, Harry R., 92, St. Christopher, Indianapolis, Dec. 2. Husband of Helen Elliott. Father of Carol Robison, Susan Scott, Michael and Thomas Elliott. Grandfather of eight. Great-grandfather of nine.
ERNST, Charles, 83, St. Monica, Indianapolis, Dec. 20. Husband of Lois Ernst. Father of Lauren Kniola, John and Pat Ernst. Grandfather of six.
ERBSE, Marilyn, 88, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Richmond, Dec. 12. Mother of Candace Harlan, Jeff, Steve and Tony Erbse. Grandmother of 10. Great-grandmother of three.
FRANKE, James, 90, Our Lady of the Greenwood, Greenwood, Nov. 28. Husband of Mary Elaine Franke. Father of Jennifer Frederick, Susan Schiller, David, Eric, Gregory, John and Steven Franke. Brother of Myra Hendy. Grandfather of 13. Great-grandfather of several.
GANDOLPH, Patricia M., 88, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower), Indianapolis, Dec. 14. Mother of Carole Kirk, Christine Pressley, Barbara Washburn, Susan and David Gandolph. Sister of Eileen Riedman. Grandmother of 15. Great-grandmother of 17.
GLOSSON, Donald A., 87, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Richmond, Dec. 18. Husband of Helen Glosson. Father of Kristy Geier and Kelly Kelms. Brother of Joan Apple. Grandfather of two.
HANSEN, Emma E., 76, St. Joseph, Shelbyville, Dec. 12. Mother of Cathy Cain, Erica Chudzinski, Kelly West, Dale Nigh, Cindy, Kimberly and Eric Hansen. Sister of Connie Countie, Rosemary Moellering, Cat and Michael Stevens. Grandmother of nine. Great‑grandmother of one.
HODGE, Amanda M., 34, Holy Spirit, Indianapolis, Nov. 15. Mother of Madison. Daughter of Mark Hodge. Sister of April.
HOKE, Sarah A., 87, St. Anne, New Castle, Dec. 8. Mother of Linda Miller, Valerie Ryan, Susan Timmons, Jennifer, Kathleen, Brian, Gary and William Hoke. Grandmother of 16. Great-grandmother of six.
HUMBLES, Eugene V., 64, Holy Spirit, Indianapolis, Oct. 23. Husband of Nelly Humbles. Brother of Donna Fuss, Gail Lester and Wayne Humbles.
HUTSON, Gene E., 89, SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi, Greenwood, Dec. 11. Husband of Phyllis Hutson. Father of Amy Combes, Jennifer D’Andrea, Pamela Mohr, Victoria Muniz, Jeffrey and Michael Hutson. Grandfather of 14. Great‑grandfather of two.
JOHNSON, Julie M., 82, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Richmond, Dec. 16. Wife of William Johnson. Mother of Carol Sappenfield, Bret, Bruce and Mark Williams. Sister of Vernon Chenoweth. Grandmother of 17. Great‑grandmother of 14.
KENNEDY, Mary Lucille, 98, St. Luke the Evangelist, Indianapolis, Dec. 16. Aunt of several.
KLEIN, James A., 74, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Cambridge City, Dec. 18. Husband of Evelyn Klein. Father of Betsy Kelly, Robin, Brian, Robert and Rodney Klein. Brother of Judy Atkins, Karen Kooiker, Joan Oliger, Barbara and Robert Klein. Grandfather of nine.
KORTMAN, Dennis M., 64, Prince of Peace, Madison, Dec. 14. Husband of Kay Kortman. Stepfather of Tina Carlson and Mark Hyatt. Brother of Paula Kortman. Step‑grandfather of four. Step‑great-grandfather of four.
KUNKEL, Clifford, 85, St. Mary, Greensburg, Dec. 21. Husband of Ruth Kunkel. Father of Carol Kramer, Lynne Miller, Angie Wood, David, Gary, Mark and Rick Kunkel. Grandfather of 12. Great-grandfather of 15.
LUZAR, Joseph M., 99, St. Christopher, Indianapolis, Nov. 2. Father of Patti Wiseman, Joseph and Willy Luzar. Grandfather of one.
MCKEON, Thomas M., 98, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower), Indianapolis, Dec. 15. Father of Daniel and Thomas McKeon. Grandfather of two. Great-grandfather of four.
MAIO, John A., 50, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower), Indianapolis, Dec. 7. Father of Francesca Olson, Bradley Herman, Antonia, Emily, Nicole and Jacob Maio. Son of Michael and Mary Ann Maio. Brother of Florence Abbott, Antoinette Burford, Marianne Duncan, Theresa Minock, Michelle Venezia, Catherine and Patricia Maio. Grandfather of two.
MANSINI, Patricia J., 90, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower), Indianapolis, Nov. 28. Mother of Benedictine Father Guy Mansini.
MILLER, Edward J., 85, St. Bartholomew, Columbus, Dec. 7. Husband of Joan Miller. Father of Edward, Jr. and Steven Miller. Brother of Dorine May, Ann Tallant, Charles and Paul Miller. Grandfather of five.
MINGIONE, Carolyn A. (Burt), 76, Prince of Peace, Madison, Dec. 15. Mother of Amy Ball, Frank, Jr., and Stephen Mingione. Sister of Ellen Donnelley, Mary Fogle, Kathleen Houston, Joe and Michael Burt. Grandmother of eight. Great-grandmother of one.
NAVARRO, Joseph P., 81, SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi, Greenwood, Dec. 12. Husband of Mary Ann Navarro. Father of Lisa Holt, Joann Thilman, Mary Rose and Joseph Navarro. Brother of Margaret Filaccio, Irene Olsen and Phillip Suarez. Grandfather of six.
NEAL, Janet (Fleshner), 83, St. Christopher, Indianapolis, Dec. 18. Mother of Julie Hardin and Susan Neal. Sister of Madonna McDonald and Rex Fleshner. Grandmother of one. Great-grandmother of 2.
OBERGFELL, John E., 76, St. Barnabas, Indianapolis, Dec. 16. Husband of Peggy Obergfell. Father of Diane Gindling, Kathie McCarthy-Hartman, Edward and Michael Obergfell. Brother of Marty Adams, Jerry, Jim and Mark Obergfell. Grandfather of seven. Step-grandfather of seven.
ORTH, Margaret J., 87, St. Malachy, Brownsburg, Dec. 16. Mother of Barbara Huffman, Victoria Regan, Robert Dunn, Robert and William Orth. Grandmother of nine. Great-grandmother of 18.
PARDIECK, Phyllis, 79, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Richmond, Dec. 12. Wife of Robert Pardieck. Mother of Daniel and Michael Pardieck. Grandmother of two.
POTTS, Helen, 93, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Richmond, Dec. 16. Mother of Michelle Ellerbrock, Susan Gentner, Gregory and Dr. Timothy Potts. Grandmother of seven. Great-grandmother of 12. Great-great-grandmother of two.
QUALTERS, Sharon S., 79, St. Pius X, Indianapolis, Dec. 17. Wife of James Qualters. Mother of Carol and Mike Burchard, Joe and Kevin Qualters. Sister of Carol Murrell. Grandmother of four.
RINGLE, Hamako, 87, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jeffersonville, Dec. 23.
SCHAPKER, William H., 83, St. Malachy, Brownsburg, Dec. 15. Husband of Christine Schapker. Father of Therese, Christopher, Mark and William Schapker. Grandfather of four.
SCHWEGMAN, Marcella, 84, St. Vincent de Paul, Shelby County, Dec. 15. Mother of Marcia Adams, Sandra Leffler, Debbie Lux and Steve Schwegman. Sister of Cliff Kunkel. Grandmother of six. Great-grandmother of one.
SENG, Dorotha, 103, Holy Family, New Albany, Dec. 4. Mother of Joan Marie Banet. Grandmother of nine. Great-grandmother of 11. Great‑great-grandmother of one.
SNYDER, Helen L., 96, St. Paul, Tell City, Dec. 15. Sister of Betty Litherland. Aunt of several.
STROBEL, Urban J., 84, St. Pius V, Troy, Dec. 13. Father of Joanie Howland, Lee Ann Huebschman, Bernie, Dennis and Mike Strobel. Brother of Marietta Collins, Cleta Dauby, Irene Miller and Leo Strobel. Grandfather of six. Great‑grandfather of eight.
TAIT, Findlay M.G., infant, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower), Indianapolis, Dec. 2. Son of Anna Sharpe and David Tait. Brother of Fiona, Sophia and Vincent Sharp. Grandson of Pasquale and Sharon Rocchio, Neil and Flona King and George Tait.
TEX, Michael, 80, St. Mark the Evangelist, Indianapolis, Dec. 21. Brother of Mary, Ronald and Thomas Tex. Uncle and great-uncle of several.
TUTTS, Barbara J., 88, St. Lawrence, Indianapolis, Dec. 12. Wife of Joseph Tutts. Mother of Janet Messersmith and Michael Tutts. Grandmother of three. Great-grandmother of one.
VOGELGESANG, James J., 86, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Richmond, Dec. 14. Husband of Mary Vogelgesang. Father of Robert and Scott Vogelgesang. Brother of Donald Vogelgesang. Grandfather of three.
WILSON, Jeanette, 86, Christ the King, Indianapolis, Dec. 22. Mother of Patricia Goodall, Julia Johnson, Theresa Mason, Robert and Thomas Wilson. Grandmother of 12.
WITT, Jennifer A., 55, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Bright, Dec. 12. Wife of Michael Witt. Mother of Laura Dawson, Deacon Alex, Anna and Broderick Witt. Sister of Marilyn Jacoby, Kathleen Reel and Daniel Thomas. Grandmother of two.
Providence Sister Marie Brendan Harvey taught at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Providence Sister Marie Brendan Harvey died on Dec. 27, 2016, at Lourdes Hall at Ministry Eagle River Hospital in Eagle River, Wis. She was 90.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jan. 3 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception at the motherhouse in St. Mary-of-the-Woods. Burial followed at the sisters’ cemetery.
Mary Therese Harvey was born on Jan. 2, 1926, in Chicago. She entered the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Feb. 2, 1946, and professed final vows on Aug. 15, 1953.
Sister Marie Brendan earned a bachelor’s degree at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree at The Catholic University of America in Washington.
During her 70 years as a member of the Sisters of Providence, Sister Marie Brendan ministered in education for several decades in schools in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. In later years, she served in parish pastoral ministry and development work.
In the archdiocese, Sister Marie Brendan served at the former St. Benedict School in Terre Haute from 1948-49 and at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College from 1954-69 and 1970-82.
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence Road, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.
Benedictine Sister Mary Bede Betz served for 52 years in Catholic schools across the state
Benedictine Sister Mary Bede Betz died on Dec. 12, 2016, at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove where she was a member. She was 90.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Dec. 15 at the monastery chapel. Burial followed at the sisters’ cemetery.
Theresa Catherine Betz was born on Jan. 4, 1926, in Schnellville, Ind. She entered Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Ind., now in the Evansville Diocese, and professed temporary vows on June 5, 1945, and perpetual vows on Aug. 10, 1949.
Sister Mary Bede transferred to Our Lady of Grace Monastery, which was founded by Monastery Immaculate Conception, in 1960.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at the former St. Benedict College in Ferdinand and The Catholic University of America in Washington.
During her 71 years as a Sister of St. Benedict, Sister Mary Bede ministered in education for 52 years in schools in Indiana, retiring to the monastery in 1999.
In the archdiocese, Sister Mary Bede served at Christ the King School in Indianapolis from 1948-51, at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs School in Floyd County from 1954-59 and 1965-67, at the former St. Paul School in Tell City from 1959-63, at the former St. Michael School in Bradford from 1963-65, at the former St. Michael School in Cannelton from 1967-69, at the former St. Martin of Tours School in Siberia from 1969-70 and in public schools in Leopold and religious education at St. Augustine Parish in Leopold from 1970-99.
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Retired Sisters’ Fund, in care of Our Lady of Grace Monastery, 1402 Southern Ave., Beech Grove, IN 46107 or online at www.benedictine.com. †