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Fr. H. Joseph Wilhelm, S.M., died June 12, 2024 at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home at the age of 92.
Affectionately known as Fr. Joe, he was a Marist priest for nearly 65 years, during which he served his order in many capacities, including the education of seminarians, the management of the Marist Society financials matters and service as a parish priest.
Fr. Joe was born December 30, 1931, to the late Anthony and Mabel Wilhelm in Wheeling, WV. He attended elementary school at St. Michael Parish School until his family moved to West Alexander in 1945. In September of 1946, at the age of 14, he left the family farm to attend St. Mary's Manor in Penndel, PA in preparation for the priesthood. Following many years of study, both in the US and abroad, he was ordained in Rome on July 5, 1959. Fr. Joe celebrated his First Solemn Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, PA.
Following his ordination, Fr. Joe continued to advance his religious studies, again traveling abroad to study archeology, Hebrew and Old Testament history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He earned advanced licensure in Sacred Scripture. This course work required him to have a reading knowledge of 8 languages with requirement to speak 5 of them fluently.
Fr. Joe's pastoral assignments were numerous. He spent many years in the education of future priests. He taught Theology at Marist College in Washington, DC and the Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA. He also taught Sacred Scripture at the Washington Theological Coalition and at St. Paul College in Washington, DC.
Fr. Joe also served his Order as General Treasurer of the Marist Fathers. During this time, he was living in Rome, near the Vatican. This position afforded him many great travel opportunities. In this capacity, he visited Marist houses world-wide. This position required him to have a working knowledge of 7 currencies. He continued in this capacity until 2009 when his health started to decline.
Fr. Joe returned to the US in 1984 to be near his family while his father was gravely ill. He served briefly as the Associate Pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. He then moved to Atlanta, GA to assume the duties of business manager of the Marist School. He then returned to St. Vincent de Paul Parish where he served as its' 20th Pastor. He retired in 1995 but remained at St. Vincent de Paul as Associate Pastor until his final retirement in 2002.
Fr. Joe spent his retirement years serving as the Chaplain of the Welty Home, where he said daily and Sunday masses for the residents and the community. He served the Welty community until his declining health required him to fully retire. He then moved into the Good Shepherd Nursing Home where he remained until his death.
In his nearly 65 years as a Marist Priest, Fr. Joe has many, many experiences. When he would speak of his time in the priesthood, he always commented that he has a fantastic life and would do it all over again, given the opportunity. When asked about his retirement, he always said that he was retired from the daily operations of a parish, but he will never retire from the priesthood.
In addition to his parents, Anthony and Mabel Wilhelm, he is preceded in death by his siblings; Charles Hupp at birth, Adrian Wilhelm in 1998, Patricia Johnston in 2016, Anthony Wilhelm in 2016, Mabel Curtis in 2017 and Arielle Balak in 2022. Also preceded in death are a nephew, John Wilhelm in 2023.
Fr. Joe is survived by his sister, Donna Strawn of Charleston, WV, numerous nieces and nephews and his brothers in the Society of Mary.
Family and friends will be received Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 1 -8 pm at Altmeyer Funeral Homes, 154 Kruger St., with a 7 pm service led by Bishop Mark Brennan. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1225 National Rd., Thursday, June 20, at 10 am. Interment immediately following at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 1685 National Rd., in the Marist Plot.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested to make an offering to Marist Community Support, 4408 8th Street, Washington, DC 20017.
Condolences may be offered at www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com.