Michael E. Schelling

1947 - 2014

Rev. Michael E. Schelling, 67, of Crestline, died Friday, December 19, 2014 at OhioHealth MedCentral/Mansfield Hospital, Mansfield, after failing health.

Rev. Schelling was born in Defiance on August 28, 1947 to the late Clyde and Marion (Roedel) Schelling.

Rev. Schelling attended St. John the Evangelist Elementary School from 1953 – 1961. He then attended the Divine Word Seminary in Perrysburg from 1961-1965. Rev. Schelling attended college at the Divine Word College in Epworth, IA between 1965 and 1967.

Afterwards, he went to Athenaeum of Ohio, Cincinnati, from 1967-1968. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and a Master of Divinity Degree in 1974, both from St. Meinrad College and School of Theology, in Meinrad, IN. From 1973-1974 he served his Deacon internship at St. Mary Church in Vermillion. He was ordained a priest on May 25, 1974. Rev. Schelling began his ministry as a priest at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fremont, where he served from 1974 – 1977. He also served as an Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Toledo from 1977 – 1982. From 1982 – 1983 he served as an Associate Pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in Port Clinton. In 1983, he became Pastor at St. Nicholas Church, Miller City, and Holy Family Church, New Cleveland, serving there until 1988. From 1988 – 1994 he was Pastor at St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church in Norwalk and St. Alphonsus Liguori Church in Peru. Rev. Schelling then served as Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ft. Jennings until 2000.

From 2000 – 2008, he served as Pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Crestline and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Galion until his retirement in 2008. He was Dean of the San Juan Diego Deanery from 2005 – 2008. Rev. Schelling was also a member of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus. Father's parishioners will always remember his great sense of humor.

He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, John and Janet Schelling of Ayersville.

The body will be received and Vespers will be recited on Friday, December 26, 2014 at 4:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Crestline with visitation following until 9:00 PM. Visitation will also be held at on Saturday, December 27, 2014, 9:00 AM until 10:15 AM before the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Crestline, with Very Reverend Nelson Beaver, Dean of the San Juan Diego Deanery, Celebrant. Burial will be at 3:00 PM Saturday, with the Rite of Commital offered by Father Todd Dominique, Dean of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Deanery, in St. Michael's Ridge Cemetery, Defiance.

The Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home, 233 West Main Street, Crestline, is honored to serve the family of Rev. Michael E. Schelling.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Diocese of Toledo's Continuing Education Fund for Priests, in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to the family at masfh.com.