Rev. Benno Heidlage, O.F.M.'s Obituary
Rev. Benno Heidlage O.F.M., age 85 of Oldenburg, Indiana, died Sunday, November 26, 2006, at University Hospital in Cincinnati. Born October 10, 1921 in Oldenburg, he is the son of Olivia (Nee: Scheidler) and Theodore Heidlage. He is survived by his brother Robert of Connersville, Indiana, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his sister Kathryn Fischer and brother Rev. Aldric Heidlage O.F.M.Fr. Benno attended Holy Family School in Oldenburg and St. Francis High School Seminary in Cincinnati. He was invested as a friar in 1939 as a member of St. John the Baptist Province in Cincinnati and ordained in 1948. Over the next 51 years, Fr. Benno taught at the Seminary, was a Novice Director for friars in formation and a pastor at parishes in Ft. Wayne and Lafayette, Indiana; Metamora and Washburn, Illinois and Louisville, Kentucky. He was highly regarded by thousands of parishioners and hundreds of young friars who benefited from his spiritual direction. He retired to the St. Louis Friary at Batesville, Indiana in 1999 and returned to his home parish at Oldenburg in 2003.Visitation is Wednesday, November 29th, from 4-7 p.m. at Holy Family Church in Oldenburg. A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 7 p.m., with Rev. Fred Link, Provincial of St. John the Baptist Province, officiating. Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, November 30th, at Holy Family Cemetery.
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