Rev. Fr. Francis Joseph Bilstein  

THE REV. F. JOSEPH BILSTEIN. - He was born in Oestinghausen, diocese of Paderborn, Germany, on February 12, 1867.

He studied the classics at Havestadt and Paderborn, emigrated to this country, and studied philosophy and theology in the Seminary of St. Francis, -Wisconsin. He was ordained priest by Bishop O'Hara, for the diocese of Scranton, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, on June 7, 1891.

He was assistant at St. Nicholas' Church at Wilkesbarre, -Penn. till October 1895, when he came to Fort Wayne. Assistant at St. Paul's Church, Fort Wayne, October 1895 till February 1898; pastor of St. Anthony's, Goodland and Morocco, from February 1898 till October 1900; pastor of Monterey, with Rochester, Kouts and Culver as missions, since October 7, 1900.

THE DIOCESE OF FORT WAYNE 1857-SEPTEMBER 22-1907 A Book of Historical Reference 1669-1907 BY THE RT. REV. H. J. ALERDING

Rev F Joseph Bilstein
BIRTH 12 Feb 1867
DEATH 5 Apr 1945
BURIAL Saint Johns Cemetery Tipton, Tipton County, Indiana

Funeral services for Rev. Fr. Francis Joseph Bilstein will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at St. John's church were he devoted nearly 32 years to the spiritual needs of his parish.

Father Bilstein died at 6:30 p. m. Thursday at St. Joseph's hospital in Kokomo where he had been a patient since Dec. 10.

He was 78 years old. The body will lie in state at St. John's Rectory until Sunday afternoon when it will be taken to St. John's church to await his funeral mass. Most Rt. Rev. John George Bennett of the diocese of Lafayette will officiate. Following the mass, the body will be placed in St. John's cemetery.

Father Bilstein was born in Oestingham, Germany, Feb. 12, 1867, and came to the United States when 19 years of age. He studied for the priesthood at St. Francis college in Wisconsin and was ordained June 7, 1891, at Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

He served as eastern diocese for four years. In 1895, Father Bilstein was accepted into the diocese of Fort Wayne and served until his death. He was the oldest priest in point of service in the diocese. He came to Tipton on Oct. 1, 1913.

The only known relative in this country is a brother, Carl Bilstein, living in California.