Date of death: 12/19/2014
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1974
CRESTLINE — Rev. Michael E. Schelling, 67, of Crestline, died Friday, December 19, 2014, at OhioHealth MedCentral/Mansfield Hospital, Mansfield, after failing health.Rev. Schelling was born in Defiance on August 28, 1947, to the late Clyde and Marion (Roedel) Schelling.Rev. Schelling attended St. John the Evangelist Elementary School from 1953-61. He then attended the Divine Word Seminary in Perrysburg from 1961-65. Rev. Schelling attended college at the Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa, between 1965 and 1967. Afterwards, he went to Athenaeum of Ohio, Cincinnati, from 1967-68. He received a bachelor of arts degree in history and a master of divinity degree in 1974, both from St. Meinrad College and School of Theology, in Meinrad, Ind. From 1973-74, he served his deacon internship at St. Mary Church in Vermillion.He was ordained a priest on May 25, 1974. Rev. Schelling began his ministry as a priest at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fremont, where he served from 1974-77. He also served as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Toledo from 1977-82. From 1982-83, he served as an associate pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in Port Clinton. In 1983, he became pastor at St. Nicholas Church, Miller City, and Holy Family Church, New Cleveland, serving there until 1988. From 1988-94, he was pastor at St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church in Norwalk and St. Alphonsus Liguori Church in Peru. Rev. Schelling then served as Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Jennings until 2000. From 2000-08, he served as pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Crestline and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Galion until his retirement in 2008. He was Dean of the San Juan Diego Deanery from 2005-08. Rev. Schelling was also a member of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus. Father’s parishioners will always remember his great sense of humor.He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, John and Janet Schelling of Ayersville.Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Diocese of Toledo’s Continuing Education Fund for Priests, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the family at masfh.com.