Education
Biography
Dcn. Jerry Bessler, PD’22, (’18-22), is a graduate of the Saint Meinrad Permanent Deacon Formation Program, class of 2022, and serves as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. He has served at St. Roch Catholic Church in Indianapolis since his ordination. Dcn. Bessler is also an oblate of Saint Meinrad, taking his final oblation in February 2007.
He has been with the Avon Fire Department since 2000, currently holding the rank of battalion chief and serving as a chaplain and peer support member. He also volunteers and serves on the Board of Directors for Happy Hollow Children’s Camp.
Dcn. Bessler earned a bachelor’s degree in allied health science (respiratory therapy) with a theater minor from Marian College in 1990. He worked at St. Vincent Hospital as a respiratory therapist from 1990 to 2000 before joining the Avon Fire Department.
Dcn. Bessler and his wife, Astra, live in Avon, IN, and have two adult sons.