Rev. James C. Blessinger, age 77 of Jasper, IN, passed away at 2:05 p.m EDT on Friday (September 30, 2016) at Brookside Village in Jasper, IN.
Father Blessinger was born in Jasper, Indiana 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, St. Mary Parish, Washington, and
Teacher, Washington Catholic High School, 1964. Assistant Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Vincennes, and Part-time teacher, Central Catholic High School and St. Rose Academy, Vincennes, 1967. Co-Pastor, Holy Redeemer Parish, Evansville, 1971. Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Dale, and Administrator, St. Nicholas Chapel, Santa Claus, 1980. Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Vincennes, 1987. Pastor, Corpus Christi Parish, Evansville, 1998. Pastor, Holy Spirit Parish, Evansville, while continuing as pastor at Corpus Christi Parish, 2005. Pastor, Corpus Christi Parish, Evansville, 2007.
His other service to the Diocese of Evansville included: Chaplain: 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.
Surviving,
Three Brothers;
Kenneth Blessinger and wife Rose, St. Anthony, IN
David Blessinger and wife Rita, Jasper, IN
Howard Blessinger and wife Mary Jane, Jasper, IN
Eleven Nieces and Nephews
Seventeen 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 EDT on Friday (October 7, 2016) at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, with burial to follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Jasper, IN.
A visitation and prayer vigil will be held on Thursday (October 6, 2016) at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Evansville, IN, 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, IN.
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
