Fr. Henry R. Baxa

This obituary is published as a courtesy to the family of Fr. Henry Baxa

Henry Richard Baxa was born on February 17, 1941, in Wayne, Kansas, to Henry and Blanche (Oborny) Baxa. Henry attended Wayne grade school, and then attended St. Francis Preparatory Seminary in Victoria, Kansas, where he graduated with his high school diploma. He then attended and graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and then obtained his Master of Science degree in Education from Emporia State University. He later completed additional graduate work from Kansas State and Kansas Universities.

Henry went on to teach at Mount St. Scholastica Academy in Atchison, and with the Topeka Public Schools, before relocating to Concordia, Kansas, where he taught English at Concordia High School from 1970 – 1986. While at Concordia, he was involved in the Student Council and yearbook.

Henry graduated with his Master of Divinity degree on May 16, 1990, from the St. Meinrad School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana. He was then ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1990, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Concordia by Bishop George Fitzsimons.

Following ordination, Fr. Henry was assigned as the Parochial Vicar of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Junction City, and taught at St. Francis Xavier High School. In 1992, he was assigned to St. Andrew Parish in Abilene. In 1994, he was assigned to Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Beloit and St. Mary Parish in Glasco, and in 2004 returned to Abilene as the Pastor of St. Andrew, along with being the priest supervisor of St. Michael in Chapman, as Junction City, Beloit, and Abilene parishes all have parochial schools.

In 2016, Fr. Henry retired to residence in Belleville, and to assist with the sacramental ministry at St. Edward, St. George, and St. Isidore. In 2019, he was appointed Parish administrator for those parishes, along with serving on the Diocesan Clergy Health and Retirement Board, and a moderator of the Diocesan Respect Life Commission.

In 2022, he was transferred from being the Parish Administrator to the Priest Supervisor of those parishes with continued residence at the St. Edward Parish rectory. In 2024, Fr. Henry was granted full retirement and relieved from all canonical appointments for the Diocese.

Fr. Henry was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus, serving as a Chaplain for the Knights. He was also a member of the Rotary Clubs of Concordia and Abilene, and in his spare time, he enjoyed watching the EWTN network.

Fr. Henry passed away on November 9, 2025, in Belleville, at the age of 84 years, 8 months, and 23 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Blanche, brother-in-law Robert Goodwin, and brother-in-law Bob Steimel. He is survived by his sisters Mary Ann Goodwin, Lorene Steimel, and Dorothy Oborny and her husband Charles. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.

He will lie in state on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville. Rosary / Vigil Services will be conducted that evening at 6:00 pm, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Belleville, with Fr. John Wolesky officiating.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 10:30 am, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Belleville, with the Most Reverend Bishop Gerald Vincke officiating. Burial will follow at St. Isidore Catholic Cemetery in Cuba.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Salina Diocese Seminary Education Fund, and may be mailed to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting with these arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com.