Monsignor Richard Zollinger, a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Gary, IN, was born March 23, 1929, in Fort Wayne, IN to the late Erwin and Catherine (Schof) Zollinger. He went home to heaven January 29, 2024. In Fort Wayne, he attended St. Patrick Grade School for 8 years and Central Catholic High School for 2 years before entering the minor seminary at St. Lawrence Seminary, Mt. Calvary, WI. Following his secondary education, he moved on to St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology where he attended 6 years. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1955.
During his lifetime of service as a priest, he served at numerous parishes within the Gary diocese. His last assignment was as Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Knox, IN. He served as Director of Vocations for the Gary diocese and the Dean of various deaneries within the Gary diocese. He was elevated to Prelate of Honor on April 27, 1984.
Throughout his life he had many interests including scouting, photography, classical music, planning his flower gardens, traveling, Scuba diving, snow-skiing, officiating at basketball games, caring for his beloved black labs, and escaping to his lake cottage. As a young man he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and continued to participate in scouting as a chaplain. He knew no strangers, was an excellent listener, and reached out to anyone who needed a kind word. He had a knack for making everyone feel special. He had numerous stories to share and often incorporated them into his homilies. He valued his faith and family above all else. He loved his nephews and nieces and their families, and he enjoyed keeping up with them via his electronic photo frame.
Monsignor Zollinger Is preceded in death by his parents, Erwin and Catherine (Schof) Zollinger, his brother Erwin “Bud”(Ruth) Zollinger, and his sister Mary Catherine (Tom) Freiburger, and nephews Thomas and John Zollinger. He is survived by 3 nephews, 2 nieces, 17 great-nephews and great-nieces, and 37 great-great-nephews and great-great-nieces.
Rite of Reception will take place at 2:00 PM on Monday Feb 5 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 406 E. Washington St., Knox, IN. Visitation will be held on Monday, Feb 5 from 2 to 6 PM (CT) at St. Thomas Catholic Church, with evening prayers at 5:30 PM (CT) and on Tuesday Feb 6 at 9 AM (CT), at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church until morning prayers at 10:00 AM (CT). On Tuesday, Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:30 AM (CT) at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Knox IN. Celebrant will be Most Reverend Robert J. McClory, Bishop of Gary. Burial will take place on Wednesday, Feb 7, 2024 at 11am (ET) at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, IN where he will be laid to rest next to his parents.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Seminarian Fund, Diocese of Gary, or St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Knox, IN.
