Father Kenneth Lee Graehler, 78, Jasper

Father Kenneth Lee Graehler, 78, of Jasper, died of cancer Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, at Brookside Village Senior Living Community in Jasper.

He was born in Jasper on Sept. 20, 1937, to Albert H. and Lorena (Schuetter) Graehler.

Graehler attended St. Joseph Elementary School in Jasper and St. Meinrad Seminary High School in St. Meinrad, graduated from St. Meinrad Seminary College and then completed theological studies at the University of Innsbruck in Innsbruck, Austria. He was ordained a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Evansville in Holy Trinity Church in Innsbruck on March 30, 1963. His priestly assignments included assistant, Christ the King Parish in Evansville in 1963; assistant, St. Clement Parish in Boonville and teacher at Reitz Memorial High School in 1965; assistant at St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh, continuing as a teacher at Memorial in 1966; assistant at St. James Parish in Haubstadt and teacher at Rex Mundi High School in Evansville in 1968; associate a St. Theresa Parish in Evansville and continue as a teacher at Rex Mundi in 1972; associate at St. Simon Parish in Washington and teacher at Washington Catholic High School in 1973; pastor at St. Peter Parish in Linton and administrator at St. Joan of Arc Mission in Jasonville in 1973; co-pastor, St. Ferdinand Parish in Ferdinand in 1977; pastor at St. Bernard Parish in Rockport in 1980; pastor at St. Philip Neri Parish in Bicknell in 1985; pastor at St. Wendel Parish in St. Wendel in 1990; and pastor at St. Mary Parish in Sullivan and St. Joan of Arc in Jasonville in 1991. Graehler retired from active ministry in November 2002.

Surviving are a sister, Carol (Walter) Hufnagel of Paris, Texas; a sister-in-law, Edna Graehler of Louisville, Ky.; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by four siblings, Al and Richard Lee Graehler and stillborn twins.

A Memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper.

Friends may call after 9 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Graehler has donated his body to science at Indiana University Medical Center. His cremated remains will be buried in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity or the Jasper Deanery Catholic Education Foundation, c/o St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1029 Kundek St., Jasper IN 47546-1917.