Fr. Ken Gering OFM Conv.

He was born Kenneth Louis Gering on November 16, 1927, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Leonard and Anna (Spath) Gering. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Donald. He is survived by his brother Robert and sisters JoAnn Miller and Mary Rose Gaus Brown. Receiving the religious name Columban, he professed Simple Vows on July 9, 1952, and Solemn Vows on July 11, 1955. He was ordained a priest on February 23, 1958.

He graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1945, and attended the University of Louisville for one year before joining the Navy. After his service he completed an engineering degree and entered the Conventual Franciscan Order in 1951. As a newly ordained priest, he served at St. Anthony’s Parish in Louisville until 1960 when he began a 13-year assignment as Dean and science teacher at the minor seminary at Mount St. Francis in southern Indiana.

In 1973 he began the second phase of his Franciscan service when he was assigned as a hospital chaplain in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Except for two brief parish assignments, that would be his focus for the rest of his life. He went on to serve as a chaplain in Lansing, Michigan, and Terre Haute and New Albany in Indiana. Fr. Gering also served as chaplain to the Knights of Columbus in Harrison County and New Albany in Indiana, and for the Legion of Mary in New Albany.

“He found his niche when he became a chaplain,” said Fr. Jim Kent OFM Conv. “He was attentive to the person and family even after they left the hospital, visiting them in their own homes, nursing facilities, and funeral homes. He would work 40 hours in his regular ministries, then spend another 20 hours visiting other places.”

For pictures and stories of Fr. Gering’s Franciscan service, please visit the OLC Province website, franciscansusa.org

A wake service will be held on Thursday November 9, at 7 pm in the Chapel at Mount St. Francis, Indiana. The funeral will be Friday November 10 at 11 am in the Chapel, followed by interment in the Friars’ cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made by mail to the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, 103 St. Francis Boulevard, Mount St. Francis, Indiana, 47146.