Wasco-Statewide County OR Archives Obituaries.....Kelbel, Father Joseph A. September 13, 2006
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Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com December 31, 2006, 1:32 pm

The Dalles Chronicle, September 15, 2006
    Longtime local priest for rural parishes, Father Joseph A. Kelbel, 56, a 
resident of The Dalles, died at a local care facility on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 
2006, after a lengthy illness.

    He was born in Galveston, Texas, on Oct. 31, 1949, the oldest child of 
three sons to Joseph A. and Maxine E. (Wood) Kelbel. 

    He was raised in the US Army throughout the United States and overseas in 
Bermuda. He received a college education in Southern California and was in the 
restaurant business as well as elementary and secondary education in 
California and Montana before entering Mt. Angel Seminary in the fall of 1975. 

    He received a master’s degree in pastoral counseling and in sacred 
scripture from the Graduate School of Theology in Mt. Angel in 1980, and was 
ordained a priest at St. Patrick’s church in Heppner on June 24, 1980. 

    Since ordination he taught high school and college level courses, directed 
the Deacon Formation Program for the Diocese of Baker Eastern Oregon, served 
as a diocesan consultor, served on the National Federation of Priests’ Council 
and a member of the Priests’ Council of the Diocese of Baker.

    He was appointed by Bishop Vasa to the Diocesan Centennial Committee from 
2002-2003. He received a doctor of ministry degree from San Francisco 
Theological Seminary in May 1999 for multicultural spirituality. He was a 
board member of the Northwest Regional Office of Hispanic Ministry and the 
editor of Be Brothers, an international journal for English speaking priests 
in the Jesus Caritas organization throughout the world.

    He was a volunteer chaplain for Hospice of the Gorge and also taught 
foreign languages at St. Mary’s Middle School.

    He was a Priest of the Diocese of Baker; Oblate of St. Benedict (Prince of 
Peace Abbey, Oceanside, Calif.); Life Member of the Knights of Columbus; 
National Board Member of NOCERCC (National Organization for the Continuing 
Education of Roman Catholic Clergy); the FDLC (Fed. of Diocesan Liturgical 
Commissions); the NFPC (National Fed. of Priests’ Councils); and, the NADD 
(National Assoc. of Directors of Deacons). He was an elected member of the 
Priests’ Council of the Diocese of Baker, and chairman of that group for 
several years. He was appointed a Bishop’s Diocesan Consultor and appointed 
Dean of the Western Deanery. He was director of the Office of Worship and 
Spirituality; the Office of the Continuing Education of the Clergy; and 
Director of the Lay Ministry Training Program and the Office of Permanent 
Deacons. He was also a presenter and an editor of the De Sales Adult Faith 
Development Program of the Diocese of Baker; pastor of Our Lady of the Valley 
Church, La Grande; St. Mary’s, Hood River; St. Patrick, Madras and 
administrator of St. Mary’s Academy, The Dalles. He was associate pastor of 
Sacred Heart Church, Klamath Falls; Teacher at Sacred Heart High School, 
Klamath Falls; and associate pastor of St. Peter’s Church, The Dalles. He was 
also a member of NABRS (Northwest Association of Bishops and Religious 
Superiors) for several years.

     He is survived by his mother, Maxine Kelbel, The Dalles. He was preceded 
in death by his father Joseph A. Kelbel, Sr. and his two brothers.

    Viewing visitation will be held on Sunday Sept. 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. at 
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home, with a Rosary and Vigil to follow at 7 
p.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church.

    Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. at 
St. Peter Catholic Church.

    In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Retirement Fund 
for the Priests/Deacons of the Diocese of Baker Oregon, PO Box 41, The Dalles, 
OR 97058

   
      


Additional Comments:
Written permission to reprint given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, 
Oregon, Dan Spatz, Editor (e-mail dated 3/7/2006).


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