July 29, 2009

Obituary for Fr. C. Henry Eickholt

SAGINAW – Father C. Henry Eickholt, 90, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, died Monday morning, July 27, 2009 at St. Francis Home, Shields.

Father Eickholt was born on Oct. 7, 1918, son of Charles and Mary (Martin) Eickholt. He was baptized at St. Michael Parish in Maple Grove and received his elementary education at St. Michael School.

As a seminarian, Father Eickholt received his priestly formation at St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids, Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, and Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1944 by Bishop William F. Murphy at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw.

His first assignment was as an assistant pastor at Queen of the Holy Rosary, Saginaw, from June 1944 to Sept. 1944, when he found himself as administrator of the parish until April 1945. He also served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph, Saginaw (April 1945 to Oct. 1945); St. Brigid of Kildare, Midland (Oct. 1945 to Sept. 1951) and St. Joseph, East Tawas (Sept. 1951 to Sept. 1952).

In Sept. 1952, he became pastor at St. Edward the Confessor , Omer, where he remained until May 1959. He also served as pastor at St. Joseph, East Tawas, (May 1959 to June 1963); Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chesaning (June 1963 to March 1967); St. Michael, Pinconning (March 1967 to Feb. 1973); St. Mary - Our Lady of Sorrows, Port Sanilac (Feb. 1973 to July 1979) and Sacred Heart, Birch Run (July 1979 to July 1986).

He also had served as chaplain of the St. Christopher Council Knights of Columbus No. 2943. He was granted senior priest status (retired) in July 1986.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Chesaning. Bishop Joseph R. Cistone and Father Richard Bokinskie will concelebrate.

Visitation will take place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church from noon to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2009. A vigil service will take place at 7 p.m. and the Knights of Columbus will pray the Rosary at 8 p.m. that evening. Visitation also will be available on Thursday morning at the church beginning at 9 a.m.

Father Eickholt is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Bob Lawton of Chesaning; his sister, Ann Gewirtz of Chesaning; his brother, Andrew Eickholt of Saginaw; sisters-in-law, Josephina Eickholt of California, Betty Eickholt of Saginaw and Patricia Eickholt of Owosso; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are entrusted to The Misiuk Funeral Home of Chesaning, http://www.misiukfuneralhome.com/.

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