The Reverend Gerald E. “Jerry” Knueven, a Senior Status priest of the Diocese of Toledo, died on Friday, November 23, 2018 at his residence after a brief illness. Born in Lima, Ohio on December 30, 1942, he was the son of the late Louis and Gertrude Knueven and grew up in Leipsic, Ohio. Father Knueven was a graduate of St. Mary School, Leipsic and completed his seminary studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus.
He was ordained a priest on June 1, 1968. This past summer he celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination in his home parish of St. Mary, Leipsic. Over his 50 years, Father Knueven served in numerous pastoral assignments throughout the diocese.
He was the last pastor of Saint Anthony Parish, Toledo when it was closed in 2005. He also was active in the Spanish-speaking ministry in the diocese over the years, celebrating Mass in Spanish and serving as a spiritual director for the Cursillo retreat movement. His last pastoral assignment was as Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Toledo, and he began Senior Status in 2009.
Even after his retirement, Father Jerry continued to be quite active, assisting area parishes with sacramental ministry and especially in visiting the sick at the local hospitals. He was a kind, prayerful, and gentle man. In keeping his time balanced, Father Jerry carved out time for fishing, hiking, camping, traveling in pilgrimages, visiting family and reading.
Father Jerry is survived by his eight siblings: Mary Lou (Denny) Wilwerding of Littleton, CO; Sister Kathleen Knueven, SND of Waterville, OH; Pat (Ken) Yeager of Toledo; Bob (Ronnie) Knueven of Littleton, CO; Jim (Jo’Dell) Knueven of Leipsic; Joe (Marian) Knueven of Brownsburg, IN; Barbara (Jim) Hankenhof of Toledo; Mike (Pam) Knueven of Deshler; 22 nieces and nephews; and 38 great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Gertrude Knueven, Leipsic, OH. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, 2535 Collingwood Boulevard, Toledo: The Reception of the Body at the Cathedral will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 30, 2018, with visitation continuing until 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at the Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2018.
There will be visitation Saturday morning beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at St. Mary Parish Cemetery, Leipsic, Ohio on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 3:45 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Priest Retirement Fund of the Diocese of Toledo, Pontifical College Josephinum, Sisters of Notre Dame, and Toledo Cursillo Movement. Arrangements were entrusted to Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, Perrysburg (419-874-3133). Online condolences to the family may be made at www.
witzlershank.com.
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