Reverend Henry L. Kuykendall

Reverend Henry L. Kuykendall, 85, senior priest of the Diocese of Evansville, died June 16, 2025 in Evansville. He was born November 4, 1939 in Pride, Kentucky to Harry E. and Mary Katherine (Mattingly) Kuykendall.
Father Henry attended St. Mary's College in St. Mary, Kentucky; Fordham University in New York; and Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
He was ordained a priest June 6, 1986, at St. Mary Parish in Evansville, by Bishop Francis R. Shea.
Father Henry served the Diocese of Evansville in a variety of ways, including: Associate Pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish, Evansville; Associate Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Newburgh; Pastor of Nativity Parish, Evansville; and Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Evansville. During his time at Nativity Parish, Father Henry began Hispanic Ministry at the parish, including a weekly Mass in Spanish.
He also served as Coordinator, Catholic Ministry of the Deaf, in the Diocese of Evansville for many years. He retired from active ministry December 31, 2014.
Father Henry was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include two sisters, Nancy (James) Oskins and Judy Kuykendall; two brothers, Jerry (Linda) Kuykendall and Michael (Alisa) Kuykendall; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. CDT to 8:00 p.m. CDT Friday, June 20, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Parish, 625 Frame Road, Newburgh, Indiana. There will be a Memorial Service at 7:00 p.m. CDT. Visitation will continue from 9:00 a.m. CDT to 10:00 a.m. CDT Saturday, June 21, 2025 at St. John the Baptist. Diocese of Evansville Bishop Joseph M. Siegel will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. CDT at St. John the Baptist Church with many priests of the diocese serving as concelebrants. Entombment will follow at the St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum in Evansville. Ziemer Funeral Home North Chapel of Evansville will be handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Birthright of Evansville, 20 Read St., Evansville, IN 47710 or House of Bread and Peace, 250 E. Chandler Ave., Evansville, IN 47713.
The family expresses their gratitude to the staff of Holiday Village and Heritage Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Father Henry.