Fr. Louis Osterhage, C.PP.S., 81, died. on Thursday, September 13, 2012, in the infirmary at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio, where he made his home. He had been in failing health for some time.

He was born on September 19, 1930, in Kalida, Ohio, to Louis and Molly (Meyer) Osterhage. He entered the Community in 1948 and was ordained on June 1, 1958, in Carthagena.

Fr. Osterhage had a variety of ministries during his life as a priest. After a brief first assignment to St. Anthony Church in Detroit, he spent 10 years (1958–68) at Immaculate Conception Church in Celina, Ohio, as an associate pastor. In 1968, he was named the dean of students at St. Joseph’s College’s Calumet, Ind., campus, which later became Calumet College of St. Joseph, sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

He returned to parish ministry in 1973 as pastor of Immaculate Conception in Celina, Ohio. At the same time, he was part of the leadership of the Congregation.

In 1977, he was named assistant to the president of Calumet College of St. Joseph. He served the college as its president from 1981–86, then ministering as a chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Tiffin, Ohio.

In 1986, he was named pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Glandorf, Ohio. He also served the Congregation as its director of development.

In 1996, he became pastor of St. Joseph Church in downtown Dayton, where he served until his retirement to St. Charles in 2009.

Fr. Osterhage was a strong yet compassionate leader wherever he served. He had a gift of making connections with people that lasted long after he left an assignment. He had a quick and agile mind and  many talents that served him well, both in ministry and in administration. He was a constant support to the Congregation to which he pledged his life and was beloved by both his family and the people he served.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 17, 2012, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Assumption at St. Charles Center. Fr. Larry Hemmelgarn, C.PP.S., will preside and Fr. James McCabe, C.PP.S., will be homilist. Burial will follow in the Community cemetery.

Text and Photo courtesy of  Jean Giesige, Cincinnati Province