Rev. Jerome A. Rinzel, age 76, of West Bend, entered into eternal life at his home on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014.
He was born on the family homestead in Germantown, on July 4, 1938 to the late Arthur and Marie (nee Lorenz) Rinzel.
Fr. Jerry attended St. Mary's grade school in Menomonee Falls, St. Lawrence Seminary in Mt. Calvary, and then St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee. He was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1964.
Over the years he served as associate pastor at St. Lawrence Catholic Parish, and Our Lady of Good Hope, both in Milwaukee, then as pastor of St. Killian's in Hartford, , St. Thomas Aquinas in Kenosha, 12 years at Holy Angels in West Bend, St. Leonard's in Muskego, and the Tri-Parishes of Southwestern Dodge County. In his retirement he assisted in Mass at St. Peter in Slinger, Resurrection in Allenton, St. Matthias Mission Church in New Fane, St. Mary's in Mayville, St. Andrew's in LeRoy, St. Theresa in Theresa, as well as several other parishes.
He is survived by his sister, Mary (King) Riffel of West Bend; two brothers, Daniel (Anne) Rinzel of Arlington, VA, and Steve (Patricia) Rinzel of Germantown; a brother-in-law, Floyd Babcock of Mauston; eight nieces, Suzanne Swan, Mary (Thomas) Garity, Karen (Brent) Jurkowski, Laura (Phil) Braden, Juliene (Alan) Hefter, Maria (James) Andersen, Jennifer (Jon) Seboe, and Theresa Rinzel; five nephews, William (Christina) Babcock, Daniel (Melanie) Rinzel Jr., Steven (Jill) Riffel, Joseph (Francine) Rinzel, and Brock Stevens, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Marie; and a sister, Joan Babcock.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Jerry will be held on Friday January 2nd at 5:00 pm at Holy Angels Catholic Church (138 N. 8th Ave.) West Bend. Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, presiding, Fr. Wayne Bittner, Fr. John Yockey, and Fr. Joe Debski, con-celebrating. Visitation will be at the church Friday from 12:30 pm until 4:45 pm.
Burial will be on Saturday January 3rd at 10:30am in St. Matthias Mission Church Cemetery, New Fane.
Memorials to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee are appreciated by the family.
Myrhum - Patten Funeral Home, West Bend, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.myrhum-patten.com