Rev. James C. Blessinger, 77, Jasper
Rev. James C. Blessinger, 77, Jasper, passed away at 2:05 p.m. Friday, September 30, 2016, at Brookside Village in Jasper.
Father Blessinger was born in Jasper on October 1, 1938, to Adam and Clara (Haas) Blessinger.
He attended Bockelman School and Holy Family School in Jasper before entering St. Meinrad Minor Seminary. He graduated from St. Meinrad Minor Seminary in 1956, and earned a bachelor’s degree in classics from St. Meinrad College. He attended seminary at St. Meinrad, and Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman ordained him a priest of the Diocese of Evansville on May 23, 1964.
His priestly assignments included assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish in Washington and teacher at Washington Catholic High School, 1964. Assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Vincennes and part-time teacher at Central Catholic High School and St. Rose Academy in Vincennes, 1967. Co-pastor at Holy Redeemer Parish in Evansville, 1971; pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Dale and administrator at St. Nicholas Chapel in Santa Claus, 1980. Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Vincennes, 1987. Pastor at Corpus Christi Parish in Evansville, 1998. Pastor at Holy Spirit Parish in Evansville, while continuing as pastor at Corpus Christi Parish, 2005. Pastor at Corpus Christi Parish in Evansville, 2007.
His other service to the Diocese of Evansville included: chaplain at Washington Knights of Columbus, 1964; CYO Director for Washington Deanery, 1964; CYO Director for Vincennes Deanery, 1967; Vocation Promoter of Vincennes Deanery, 1969; Evansville Area Catholic School Board, 1971; Diocesan Family Life Vice-Chairman, 1973; re-elected Diocesan Family Life Vice-Chairman, 1975; Diocesan Consultor and member, Diocesan Senate of Priests, 1977; Diocesan Consultor and member, Diocesan Senate of Priests, 1982. He also was active in Marriage Encounter and Cursillo ministries.
He enjoyed golfing and fishing.
He is survived by three brothers, Kenneth Blessinger and wife Rose of St. Anthony, David Blessinger and wife Rita of Jasper and Howard Blessinger and wife Mary Jane of Jasper; 11 nieces and nephews; 17 great-nieces and -nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother Adam Jr. “Jackie” Blessinger.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Rev. James C. Blessinger will be held at noon on Friday, October 7, 2016, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, with burial to follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Jasper.
A visitation and prayer vigil will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Evansville with the visitation from 3:30 p.m until 8:00 p.m. CDT and the prayer vigil at 8:00 p.m. CDT.
Visitation will also be held from 9:00 a.m EDT until the noon Mass time on Friday, October 7, 2016, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper.
Memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Holy Family Catholic Church, or to a favorite charity.
Condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.
