Special to The Message
Rev. Henry L. Kuykendall, 85, senior priest of the Diocese of Evansville, died June 16 in Evansville. He was born Nov. 4, 1939, in Pride, Kentucky, to Harry E. and Mary Katherine (Mattingly) Kuykendall.
Father Henry attended St. Mary’s College in St. Mary, Kentucky; Fordham University in New York; and Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
He was ordained a priest June 6, 1986, at St. Mary Parish in Evansville, by Bishop Francis R. Shea.
Father Henry served the Diocese of Evansville in a variety of ways, including: Associate Pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish, Evansville; Associate Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Newburgh; Pastor of Nativity Parish, Evansville; and Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Evansville. During his time at Nativity Parish, Father Henry began Hispanic Ministry at the parish, including a weekly Mass in Spanish.
He also served as Coordinator, Catholic Ministry of the Deaf, in the Diocese of Evansville for many years. He retired from active ministry Dec. 31, 2014.
Father Henry was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include two sisters: Nancy (James) Oskins and Judy Kuykendall; two brothers: Jerry (Linda) Kuykendall and Michael
(Alisa) Kuykendall; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial June 21 at St. John the Baptist in Newburgh. Several priests of the Diocese of Evansville concelebrated the Mass. Following the Mass of Christian Burial, entombment was at the St. Joseph Cemetery Masoleum in Evansville. Ziemer Funeral Home of Evansville handled the arrangements.