Date of death: 11/18/2024
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1945
Reverend Father Richard W. Puetz, 105, died November 18, 2024 at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center, Delphi, where he served as chaplain. He was the oldest living priest of the Diocese of Lafayette- in-Indiana.
Father Puetz was born April 26, 1919 in Benton County, Indiana, the son of Matthias J. and Mary (Mertes) Puetz. He grew up on his family’s farm near Dunnington, Indiana and began his education at St. Mary’s Parochial School at Dunnington. This was followed by Ambia Public High School; St’ Joseph’s College, Rensselaer; Saint Meinrad Major Seminary, Saint Meinrad, Indiana.
He was ordained to the Priesthood on February 2, 1945 by Bishop John G. Bennett, first bishop of Lafayette, in one of the Diocese’s first ordination classes. His pastoral assignments were Saint Lawrence Parish, Muncie; Saint Francis Xavier Parish, Attica; Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Monticello; Saint Joseph Parish, Elwood; Saint Charles Parish, Peru; Saint Joseph Parish, Rochester; Saint Joseph Parish, Covington and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Carmel. He also has the chaplaincy of Saint Joseph Mother House of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Tipton.
Father Puetz was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus. For many years he was spiritual director for the Legion of Mary.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and brothers, Florence Cooley, Raymond, Wilfred, Marie Yuill, Cecilia Brost, Catherine Klemme, Edmund, George, Donald and Alban.