Date of death: 1/17/2017
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1961
Hank Herpel, 82 of Greensburg, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at the Aspen Place Health Campus. Hank was born on Apr. 25, 1934 in Louisville, Kentucky, to Henry and Virginia (Shircliff) Herpel. After graduating from Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, he attended St. Meinrad Seminary and was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in 1961. He served the Archdiocese of Indianapolis for 11 years at St. Laurence, St. Joan of Arc and St. Mary’s Rushville. Eventually he co-pastored at St. Bridget’s Parish with Fr. Adolf Dwenger for ten years. Hank also taught high school at Scecina and Chatard.In 1972, he married Janet Land and they had two children – Joy Herpel and Chad Herpel. Hank worked in food service for Burger Chef, Bonanza, the Pines and Wendy’s. He also worked for many years as a dislocated worker specialist for River Valley Resources. Hank believed in people and devoted his life to service. He served as President of the Rush County Habitat for Humanity for years and was a committed member of the Greensburg Optimist Club.Hank loved racing. He was chaplain at the Indianapolis 500 for 10 years, was a USAC official at the finish line of the Pikes Peak Hill climb from 1972-1977, and was an avid Tony Stewart fan!Survivors include his wife Jan, daughter Joy (Indianapolis), son Chad (Greensburg), daughter-in-law Kim Herpel, grandsons Dylan, Mason, and Rylan, sister Marilyn Seiwert (Pittsboro), brothers in law Richard Schilling, Stephen Wallpe, Ronald Land, David Land, Paul Land, Mike Land and Tim Volk, sisters-in-law Kathleen Land, Norma Schilling, Marilyn Land, Ruth Wallpe, Robin Land, Kathy Land, and Sara Volk. There are numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.Hank was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Virginia Herpel, his father and mother-in-law Loren and Geneva Land and brothers-in-law Ed Seiwert and Thomas Wayne Land.