By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
Rev. William Dietsch “wanted to serve in the capacity of priest for the sake of others,” Father Alex Zenthoefer said at the Nov. 18 Mass of Christian Burial for Father Dietsch.
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated Father Dietsch’s Mass of Christian Burial Nov. 18 at St. Wendel Church in St. Wendel. About 50 diocesan priests concelebrated the Mass, including several senior priests of the diocese. Father Alex Zenthoefer, rector of St. Benedict Cathedral and diocesan Vicar General, served as homilist. Diocesan seminarians were altar servers.
Father Dietsch, 82, died Nov. 10 at North River Nursing Home in Evansville. He was ordained a priest Dec. 18, 1971, at St. Wendel Parish by Bishop Francis R. Shea. He served the diocese in many ways before retiring from active ministry in 2008.
In his homily, Father Zenthoefer said Father Dietsch “had a story for every road” and could point to houses and tell the history of those who lived there. Father Zenthoefer remembers that on the last time they drove away from the farm Father Dietsch had lived at, Father Bill craned his neck to get one last look.
“It was hard for him to leave things behind, Father Zenthoefer said. “As big of a man as he was, he was as sentimental as you will ever find.”
Father Zenthoefer said they heard in the Gospel of John that Jesus should not lose anything of what the Father gave him. Father Dietsch was the same in that he did not want to lose anything or anyone that the Lord had entrusted to him, Father Zenthoefer said.
“He wanted to remember their stories,” Father Zenthoefer said. “He wanted to remember their struggles. He wanted to share in their joys. He wanted to walk with them in every aspect of their lives. He had a heart for those who maybe felt pushed to the side or forgotten. He never wanted anyone to feel less themselves or to feel abandoned. And again, it’s why he lived his priesthood with remarkable charity and availability to his people.”
Father Zenthoefer said as priests, it can be easy to slip into a world “of our own making, surrounding ourselves with people who agree with us and who make our lives a little easier.” But Father Dietsch was not interested in that, Father Zenthoefer said.
Father Zenthoefer said Father Bill wanted to be with the people he served. He wanted to share in their sorrow and to rejoice with them when they acknowledge their blessings.
One of Father Dietsch’s greatest sorrows was not being able to concelebrate with his brother priests at larger liturgies, Father Zenthoefer said.
“He really wanted to be there, but his legs just couldn’t take it,” Father Zenthoefer said. “He was a good brother. He was a very good brother. I can’t tell you how many times he asked about all of you, especially those who are going through difficult times.”
Father Zenthoefer said Father Dietsch greatly appreciated his support group and treasured the time he was able to spend with them. Father Zenthoefer said what made Father Dietsch, a proud Vietnam veteran, a true patriot is the same thing that made him a faithful priest, which was that he wanted to serve.
“He was probably the least clerical priest I have ever met,” Father Zenthoefer said. “He was so proud of the fact that his class at the North American College refused to wear collars in the pictures that they took. It’s not though that he was against the priesthood. But that he always wanted to serve in the capacity of priest for the sake of others. He never wanted it to be about him. He always wanted it to be about lifting up the people around him.”
Father Zenthoefer said at the heart of what Father Bill did in so many ways was a desire to be remembered. So much of what he did chiseled into the minds of those he served, Father Zenthoefer said.
Father Zenthoefer expressed gratitude that he was able to spend so much time with Father Dietsch, especially over the past year. He is grateful for Father Dietsch’s heart that loved and wanted to be loved more than anything. He was a man who could sympathize so closely with the struggles of others, Father Zenthoefer said.
“May Father Bill find rest now in the presence of the one he served so faithfully,” Father Zenthoefer said.
Bishop Siegel extended his condolences to Father Dietsch’s family. He thanked Father Bill for sharing with the diocese many years of faithful ministry. Father Dietsch publicly served after the heart of Jesus Christ, the great high priest whose priesthood they share and try to live that faith, hope and love in their own lives, Bishop Siegel said.
Interment followed the Mass of Christian Burial in St. Wendel Church Cemetery.