Date of death: 3/28/2014
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1950
Father Robert Adolph Deig, 88, died March 28, 2014, at University Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Evansville, where he lived following his retirement in 2008 from active ministry in the Catholic Diocese of Evansville, where he served 58 years.Father Deig was born July 28, 1925, in Posey County, the son of Henry and Dena (Relleke) Deig. He completed his studies at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St., Meinrad. Most Rev. Henry J. Grimmelsman, Bishop of Evansville, ordained him to the priesthood on June 3, 1950. Father Deig served eight parishes in the diocese, including St. John the Baptist, Vincennes; St. Anthony of Padua, Evansville; St. Agnes, Evansville; Holy Rosary, Evansville; St. Simon, Washington; Sts. Peter and Paul, Haubstadt; Christ the King, Evansville; and St. John, Daylight, Evansville. He taught at Mater Dei High School during his assignment to St. Agnes Parish, and he served from 1952-1967 as superintendent of Reitz Memorial High School. He also served on the finance committee of Evansville’s Magister Noster Latin School.Father Deig served as Dean of the diocese’s Washington Deanery, and as Dean of the Princeton Deanery. Most Rev. Francis R. Shea appointed him Director of the Holy Year in 1975, and appointed him to a five-year term on the Diocesan Council of Priests in 1989.Father Deig is survived by two sisters, Mary Catherine Reasor of Owensboro, Ky., and Rita Keown of Huntsville, Ala., and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Victor and Delbert; and a sister, Antoinette Deig.Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday April 2 at University Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 1236 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, Ind. 47714. Visitation will continue at St Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, Ind. 47714, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., when a Vigil for Father Deig will be held. Visitation also will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 am. Thursday April 3 at St. Philip Catholic Church, Posey County, 3500 St. Philip Road South, Mount Vernon, Ind. 47620, followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Philip. Most Rev. Charles C. Thompson will celebrate the Mass, with Concelebrants Most Rev. Gerald A. Gettelfinger, Bishop Emeritus of Evansville, and Priests of the Diocese of Evansville. Internment will follow in the Priests’ Circle at Saint Philip Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Priests’ Retirement Endowment through the Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana.Ziemer Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Condolences may be made online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com