Haubstadt Native Father Hilary Meny Dies At 101
Haubstadt native Father Hilary G. Meny dies at 101
Father Hilary G. Meny, 101, died on Oct. 7 in Haubstadt. He was a native of Haubstadt and son of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, and he served the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in pastoral ministry for more than 50 years – from his ordination in 1940 until his retirement in 1990. Father Meny was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Indianapolis four years before it was elevated to an archdiocese, and four years before the Diocese of Evansville was created by the Vatican.
Father Meny was born on Jan. 21, 1915, to Bernard and Catherine (Emmert) Meny. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul School, St. Meinrad Minor Seminary, St. Meinrad College and St. Meinrad Seminary. Bishop Joseph E. Ritter of Indianapolis ordained him to the priesthood on May 14, 1940, and he celebrated his first Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish on May 19, 1940.
His first priestly assignment, in 1940, was as assistant pastor at St. Philip Neri Parish in Indianapolis. He was appointed Assistant Pastor at St. Joseph Hill Parish in Sellersburg in 1947, and was appointed Assistant Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Bedford in 1948. In 1949, Father Meny was appointed Pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Madison, and served more than 40 years, until his retirement from pastoral ministry in 1990. He returned to Haubstadt following his retirement.
While pastor at St. Patrick, Father Meny was instrumental in establishing Shawe Memorial Catholic High School, where he served as superintendant, and Pope John XXIII Catholic Grade School. During his tenure at St. Patrick, he also served the parish of the Most Sorrowful Mother of God Church in Vevay.
In 1988, Father Meny was honored by Shawe Memorial High School when the school’s gymnasium was named the Hilary G. Meny Gymnasium. He also received an honorary diploma from the school and later its Golden Shamrock Award for Special Service. Father Meny received the Career Achievement Award from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in 1998.
He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, and also was named a Kentucky Colonel. He was a charter member of the Haubstadt Historical Society, a constant supporter of Gibson County Right to Life and an avid fan of University of Notre Dame and Mater Dei High School sports.
Father Meny was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law. Survivors include his nieces Maureen Ruggles (Joe), Laurette Faraone (Bernie), Rachelle Gore (Ted), Celeste Karcher (Dave), Carmen Jay (Rick) and nephew Greg Kissel (Linda). He is also survived by 19 great nieces and nephews and their spouses, and by 14 great-great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held in Sts. Peter and Paul Church from 4 p.m. CT to 8 p.m. CT on Oct. 11, with prayer of the Rosary beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. CT to 11 a.m. CT on Oct. 12, and Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. CT at Sts. Peter and Paul. Cardinal-designate Joseph G. Tobin, Archbishop of Indianapolis, and Bishop Charles C. Thompson will concelebrate with brother priests.
Interment will follow Mass in the parish cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Church, St. Meinrad Seminary, and to the Friends of Shawe and Pope John Schools Endowment (Fr. Hilary G. Meny Scholarship).
