Father Philip J. Kreilein Passes Away On Oct. 23
Father Philip J. Kreilein
Father Philip J. Kreilein, 70, died on Oct. 23 in Evansville. He had served as pastor of Resurrection Parish in Evansville since 2002 and as Dean of the Diocese of Evansville’s South Deanery since 2015.
He was born in Jasper on Sept. 28, 1948, to Raymond and Lucille (Keusch) Kreilein.
He attended St. Meinrad High School and College in St. Meinrad, and St. Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore, Md. Bishop Francis R. Shea ordained him a priest of the Diocese of Evansville on June 2, 1974.
His priestly assignments included Associate, St. Simon Parish, Washington, 1974; teacher, Mater Dei High School, Evansville, 1977; associate, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Evansville, 1980; pastor, St. Mary Parish, Washington, and teacher, Washington Catholic High School, 1982; pastor, Holy Cross Parish, Fort Branch, 1988; pastor, St. Ferdinand Parish, Ferdinand, 1991; pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Jasper, March 1999; pastor, Resurrection Parish, Evansville, July 3, 2002; three-month sabbatical, 2010 (June-September); Pastor, Resurrection Parish, Evansville, 2010; Moderator, St. Boniface Parish, Evansville, 2010; Administrator, St Boniface Parish, Evansville, 2018 (Feb. 1-Feb. 13).
He served many years as the chaplain for athletes and teams at Mater Dei High School and the University of Southern Indiana.
Father Kreilein’s other responsibilities included service as Director of Continuing Education: Ministry to Priests, 2012; Dean, Evansville West Deanery, 2014; and Dean, South Deanery, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include a brother, Dr. Sylvester Kreilein and spouse, Joan Parsley, of Milwaukee, Wis.; and a nephew, John Alexander Kreilein.
Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. CDT on Sunday Oct. 28 at Resurrection Church, 5301 New Harmony Road, Evansville, IN 47720, with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. CDT.
Visitation will continue at 9 a.m. CDT on Monday Oct. 29 at Resurrection Church. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at10 a.m. CDT at Resurrection Church.
Graveside Service and interment will begin at approximately 3 p.m. EDT at Fairview Cemetery in Jasper.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Resurrection Parish, 5301 New Harmony Road, Evansville, IN 47720, for use in renovating the parish cafeteria.
Arrangements are in the care of Pierre Funeral Home of Evansville.
