Father Eugene F. Heerdink, 92, Jasper

Father Eugene F. Heerdink, a pioneer of the Evansville Catholic Diocese’s ministry to the Latino community, died April 13 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was 92.

He was born in Evansville on Jan. 23, 1926, to William and Olivia (Fromm) Heerdink.

He attended St. Meinrad Seminary in St, Meinrad. Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman ordained him a priest of the Diocese of Evansville on May 19, 1951.

Father Heerdink’s priestly assignments included Assistant, St Joseph Parish, Evansville, 1951; assistant St. John the Baptist Parish, Vincennes, 1952; assistant, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Evansville, 1957; administrator, then assistant, Holy Redeemer Parish, 1958; administrator, St. Martin Parish, Whitfield, 1959; pastor, Holy Name Parish, Bloomfield, 1959; pastor, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Loogootee, 1964; pastor, St. Matthew Parish, Mount Vernon, 1969; five-year leave from the diocese for mission service in South America, 1979; pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Oakland City, 1985; five-year leave from the diocese for mission service in South America, 1987; pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Dale, 1992. Father Heerdink retired from active ministry in June 2008.

Father Heerdink pioneered diocesan ministry to the Latino community. He served as coordinator of the Diocesan Apostolate to Spanish Speaking beginning in 1992, and as director of the Diocesan Ministry to Spanish Speaking beginning in 1999. Father Heerdink also played a significant role in bringing Catholic radio station WTJW 93.1 FM to Jasper in 2014.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include a brother, William, of Evansville; and a sister, Mary Woods, of Washington, Ind.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT, on Monday, April 16, at St. Joseph Church, 1029 Kundek St., Jasper, IN 47546. Vigil Service will be at 7 p.m. EDT on April 16 at St. Joseph Parish.

Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. CDT, on Tuesday, April 17, at St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47714.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. CDT at St. Benedict Cathedral. Interment will follow in the Priests’ Circle at St. Joseph Cemetery in Evansville.