INDIANAPOLIS
Fr. Joseph G. Pesola, 52, of Indianapolis, went home to be with our Lord on Sunday, July 22, 2018 in Indianapolis. He was born August 15, 1965 in Southfield, Michigan. Fr. Joe retired from the priesthood in 2014. He was a U.S. Army veteran and during his high school years he worked a Camp K in Allegan, MI as the waterfront director. There he taught lifeguarding and CPR classes. Fr. Joe graduated from Memorial High School in Elkhart and from Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, WI.
Fr. Joe was ordained June 7, 1997 and was appointed an associate pastor at St. Pius X in Indianapolis. He served many churches in the Indianapolis diocese including Christ the King and St. Barnabas. In 2002, Fr. Joe was appointed to St. Thomas the Apostle in Fortville as pastor. Following his time at St. Thomas, Fr. Joe was in residence at St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis. During his time with the Indianapolis Archdiocese, Fr. Joe served the archdiocesan deaf apostolate. Fr. Joe had also worked at the Indiana Deaf School and visited inmates at the Pendleton Reformatory on Sundays, where he offered reconciliation, Holy Communion and a chance to talk. Fr. Joe was much loved by all those he met.
Fr. Joe is survived by his parents: Harold and Pam (Soboczynski) Pesola of Elkhart; sisters: Joyce (Allan) McGuire of Elkhart and Lauri (George) Flowers of Goshen; nieces and nephews: Mark, Andrea, Audrey, Adrian, Megan, George “G3”, Esther Raye (Alan) Miller and great nephew Jonathan. He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Herman and Beatrice Soboczynski and George and Eunice Pesola.
Friends may call on Sunday, July 29, 2018 from 4 to 6 pm at Seals Funeral Home, 122 W. Staat Street, Fortville, IN 46040. A vigil service will be held at 6:00 pm at the end of visitation. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 30, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church 523 S. Merrill Street, Fortville, IN 46040 with the Most Reverend, Charles C. Thompson, Archbishop of Indianapolis officiating. Private family burial will take place at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery in Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.sealsfuneralhome.com.
