Rev. Harold Datzman O.S.B.

Reverend Harold Datzman, O.S.B. monk and priest of St. Bede Abbey in Peru, Illinois, died on the evening of Saturday, June 24, 2023 at St. Francis Hospital, Peoria, from complications caused by congestive heart failure. He was 84.
Harold Louis Datzman was born November 7, 1938, the son of Louis and Mary (Strasburger) Datzman, in Earl Park, Indiana. After his primary school education, he came to St. Bede as a boarding student by way of a neighbor who had graduated from St. Bede some years before. In his senior year he determined to join the monastic community, having been strongly influenced by his prefect Fr. Henry Fritz.
Upon graduation from the Academy, he studied at St. Bede Junior College for two years, then entered the novitiate in 1958, making his first profession on July 11, 1959. He completed his college education at St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota, then entered the theologate at Conception Abbey in Conception, Missouri. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John B. Franz in St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria on May 23, 1965. During the next few summers, he did additional studies in Latin at Georgetown University, and received a Master's degree in Religious Education from the University of Detroit.
Fr. Harold taught religion and Latin in the Academy from 1965 to 1992. In addition, he was a prefect in the boarding department from 1965 to 1977. Until his death he maintained contact with many of his former charges, who attested to his past and ongoing positive influence on their lives.
In 1977, Fr. Harold was appointed assistant pastor at St. Joseph's in Peru, Illinois, a post he held until 1984, when he was recalled to the abbey by Abbot Marion to serve as prior. In 1987, he was made administrator of Holy Trinity in Cherry and St. Patrick's in Arlington, and was sent to St. Thomas More in Dalzell the following year. During his time there the church was torn down and a new one constructed, which was dedicated in 1990. In 1994, he was appointed to St. Benedict's in Ladd and St. Gertrude's in Seatonville.
Fr. Harold's final pastoral assignment was to return to St. Joseph's in Peru as pastor where he served until his retirement to the abbey in 2017. While at St. Joseph's he was much loved for being active in the school and diligent in his care for the sick. During this time, he also led several pilgrimages to religious destinations in Italy, France, Spain and Germany.
In his final years at the abbey, Fr. Harold grew progressively less mobile and had several falls, until it was necessary for him to be transferred to St. Joseph's Nursing Home (now Lacon Rehab and Nursing) in Lacon, Illinois, where he continued to enjoy regular visits from confreres, former students, and his beloved sisters, as well as keeping track of the Chicago Bulls, Cubs and Bears.
Fr. Harold is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by four sisters, Beverly Ross, Barbara Garing, Rosemary Bobo, and Ellen (Philip) McGraw, all of Indiana, and by his monastic brethren.
Memorials may be directed to St. Bede Abbey.
Reception of the body will be at the St. Bede Abbey Church on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 4:00 p.m., and visitation will be from 4 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer vigil at 5:15 p.m. Abbot Michael Calhoun, O.S.B. will preside at the Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the church, with interment in the abbey cemetery followed by luncheon in the Academy refectory. Mueller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.