Rev. Leo Houseknecht, Pastor of Catholic Parish in Kelayres

The Morning Call
July 12, 1990

http://articles.mcall.com/1990-07-12/news/2762425_1_pastor-leo-reading

The Rev. Leo John Houseknecht, 53, pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Kelayres, Schuylkill County, died Tuesday in St. Joseph Hospital , Reading.

Pastor of Immaculate Conception since June 1986, he previously was pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Pottsville for seven years, and administrator there.

Born in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Leo J. and Mary (Marinin) Houseknecht.

He studied for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook section of Philadelphia, and was ordained in March 1968 by Bishop Joseph McShea.

Houseknecht was assistant pastor at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Palmerton, from 1968 until 1971, when he was appointed a professor at Central Catholic High School, Reading. He also was professor at Notre Dame High, Easton, 1973-76; Nativity B.V.M., 1976-77, and Marian Catholic, Hometown, 1977-78.

In addition, he was the Carbon County regional director for the Thanksgiving Clothing Drive and the Palmerton area chaplain for Catholic scouting, both 1969-71, and chaplain of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Santa Maria 26, Pottsville, since 1984.

Survivors: Sisters, Julia Kurtek of St. Clair and Sister M. Frances Houseknecht of Reading.

Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday, Immaculate Conception Church, with Bishop Thomas J. Welsh of Allentown, as the principal celebrant. Call 6-9 p.m. Friday and 10-11 a.m. Saturday in the church. Arrangements, Damiano Funeral Home , Blaine and Cleveland streets, McAdoo.