Date of death: 9/30/2016
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1964
Rev. James C. Blessinger, 77 of Jasper, Ind., passed away at 2:05 p.m EDT on Friday, September 30, 2016, at Brookside Village in Jasper, Ind.Father Blessinger was born in Jasper, Ind., 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.Survived by three brothers, Kenneth Blessinger and wife, Rose, St. Anthony, Ind., David Blessinger and wife, Rita, Jasper, Ind., Howard Blessinger and wife, Mary Jane, Jasper, Ind.; 11 nieces and nephews; 17 great-nieces and nephews.Preceding him in death were his parents; and one brother, Adam Jr. “Jackie” Blessinger.