Date of death: 4/13/2018
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1951
Father Eugene F. Heerdink, 92, died April 13 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.He was born in Evansville on Jan. 23, 1926, to William and Olivia (Fromm) Heerdink.He attended St. Meinrad Seminary in St, Meinrad. Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman ordained him a priest of the Diocese of Evansville on May 19, 1951.His priestly assignments included Assistant, St. Joseph Parish, Evansville, 1951; assistant St. John the Baptist Parish, Vincennes, 1952; assistant, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Evansville, 1957; administrator, then assistant, Holy Redeemer Parish, 1958; administrator, St. Martin Parish, Whitfield 1959; pastor, Holy Name Parish, Bloomfield, 1959; pastor, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Loogootee, 1964; pastor, St. Matthew Parish, Mount Vernon, 1969; five-year leave from the diocese for mission service in South America, 1979; pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Oakland City, 1985; five-year leave from the diocese for mission service in South America, 1987; pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Dale, 1992. Father Heerdink retired from active ministry in June 2008.Father Heerdink was a pioneer in the development of diocesan ministry to the Latino community. He served as coordinator of the Diocesan Apostolate to Spanish Speaking beginning in 1992, and as director of the Diocesan Ministry to Spanish Speaking beginning in 1999. Father Heerdink also played a significant role in bringing Catholic radio station WTJW 93.1 FM to Jasper in 2014.He was preceded in death by his parents.Survivors include a brother, William, of Evansville; and a sister, Mary Woods, of Washington, Ind.