Fr. Leo C. Kiesel, 88, senior priest of the Diocese of Evansville, passed away at 6:33 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at The Villages of Oak Ridge.
He was born on October 15, 1937, in the family home at Haubstadt, Indiana, to the late Leo A. and Lorine (Martin) Kiesel. Fr. Leo was the 5th of 8 children.
Fr. 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 to the Catholic Priesthood on March 30, 1963, in Innsbruck. Returning home, he served full-time in the Diocese of Evansville until his retirement on January 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; Saints 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.
Fr. 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 Fr. Leo’s wishes, there will be no visitation. If you are not able to participate in the Funeral Liturgy, Fr. Leo asked that you stop by St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church any time after 6:00 A.M on Tuesday December 23, 2025, and pray a Hail Mary for him and take a moment to reflect.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Most Reverend Bishop Joseph M. Siegel and concelebrated by priests of the Diocese of Evansville at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern) on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loogootee, Indiana. Burial will follow in St. John Catholic Cemetery. A “Meal of Celebration” will be held after the burial 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.
Condolences may be made online at www.blakefuneralhomes.com.
