Special to The Message
Reverend Leo C. Kiesel, 88, senior priest of the Diocese of Evansville, passed away Dec. 20 at The Villages of Oak Ridge.
He was born Oct. 15, 1937, in the family home at Haubstadt, Indiana, to the late Leo A. and Lorine (Martin) Kiesel. Fr. Leo was the fifth of eight children.
Father Leo attended St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana; The Collegium Canisianum, a Jesuit International Seminary in Innsbruck, Austria; and the University of Innsbruck.
He was ordained a priest March 30, 1963, in Innsbruck. Returning home, he served full-time in the Diocese of Evansville until his retirement on Jan. 1, 2003. He served at St. Mary, Holy Spirit, St. Agnes and Rex Mundi High School in Evansville; St. Martin in Chrisney; St. John in Newburgh; Sts. Peter and Paul in Petersburg; Blessed Sacrament in Oakland City; St. John in Loogootee and St. Mary in Shoals. He also was the Dean of the Washington Deanery. In retirement, he assisted at parishes in Knox, Daviess and Martin counties.
Father Leo was very active in the American-Innsbruck Alumni Association and served as its Secretary-Treasurer for 35 years. He had a great love of all things “Innsbruck,” a very formational time in his life and priesthood.
He enjoyed golf with friends, heeding always the advice of “Tip” O’Neill, “Hit til you’re happy!” He greatly appreciated the beauty of creation, especially the mountains, oceans, beaches, and all sorts of living critters, especially the multitude which fed on and around the deck of his home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo A and Lorine Kiesel; brother, Ivan Kiesel, and sisters Elgene Bell, Vera Myer, and Sr. Mary Leon, O.S.B and Sr. Mary Jane, O.S.B. both of the Sisters of St. Benedict at the Monastery in Ferdinand, Indiana.
He is survived by his brothers Robert (Helen) and Donald (Lynn) Kiesel in addition to many nieces and nephews.
Also surviving are his “German” family, the Adolf Locher family of Tettnag, Germany, as well as the community of the Sisters of St. Benedict at the Monastery in Ferdinand, Indiana.
To honor Father Leo’s wishes, there will be no visitation. If you are not able to participate in the Funeral Liturgy, Father Leo asked that you stop by St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church any time after 6 a.m. on Dec. 23 and pray a Hail Mary for him and take a moment to reflect.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Joseph M. Siegel and concelebrated by priests of the Diocese of Evansville at 11 a.m. EST Dec. 23 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loogootee. Interment will follow in St. John Catholic Cemetery.
A “Meal of Celebration” will be held after interment in the St. John Center, Lower Level.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Diocese of Evansville Bishop Relief Fund, 4200 North Kentucky Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711; Sisters of St. Benedict, 802 E. 10th St., Ferdinand, IN 47532-9239; St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 408 Church Street, Loogootee, Indiana or adopt a cat.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Look for full coverage of Father Kiesel’s Mass of Christian Burial in the Jan. 9, 2026, issue of The Message.