Rev. Robert J. Monnin

MONNIN, Rev. Robert J., age 86 of Englewood, OH, formerly of Vandalia, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born September 6, 1929 to the late Wilfred B. and Bertha L. (Simon) Monnin. He is survived by one sister, Shyla M. Peterson, Columbus, OH and one brother & sister-in-law, Gery L. & Jane A. (Simon) Monnin, Troy, OH; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Meyer) Monnin, Vandalia, OH; special friend and caregiver, Linda Comstock; three aunts, Lou Borchers, Henrietta Blue, & Martha Simon; 1 uncle, Dick Boesch; 22 nieces and nephews, 38 great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Ken & Edwin and sisters-in-law, Joy and Rose and brother-in-law, Dick Peterson.

Father Bob was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1955 in Cincinnati, Ohio for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and celebrated his 60th anniversary to the priesthood in May 2015. He began his ministry from 1955-1960 as Administrator/Pastor at St. Peter Claver, Middletown, OH and as Teacher/Principal/Athletic Director at Fenwick High School, Middletown, OH. From 1960-1972 he was Pastor at St. Teresa in Covington, OH, Principal at Piqua Catholic High School and the first Principal at Lehman Catholic High School. From 1972-1973 he was Pastor for St. John’s in Fryburg, OH. From 1973-1980, he was Pastor at St. Patrick in St. Patrick, OH, Regional Director of Religious Education in the Northern part of the Diocese, and Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Northern part of the Diocese where he built his first TV studio. From 1980-1981 he resided at Our Lady of the Rosary in Dayton, OH, serving as an associate and built a cable TV studio in Trinity Center. From 1981-1982, he was Pastor at Holy Trinity in Dayton, OH.

From 1982-2000 he was Pastor at St. Christopher Church, Vandalia, OH. During that time, he served as Chaplain at Miami Valley Hospital and as Chaplain for the Vandalia Police Department. When he retired in 2000, he continued to serve the Lord by saying Mass at St. Christopher Catholic Church and other Parishes, including weekly Mass for the Sisters of the Precious Blood. He had a variety of hobbies including building boats, skiing and swimming off his pontoon boat. He flew airplanes, loved motorcycling, was a master carpenter, and most of all loved farming with his brother, Gery.

Reception of the Body will take place at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, May 18, at St. Christopher Church with Fr. Chris Worland as celebrant. Visitation will follow on Wednesday from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, May 19 at St. Christopher Church with the Most Reverend Joseph Binzer serving as Celebrant. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, May 19 at St. Remy Cemetery in Russia, OH, with Fr. John Tonkin as Celebrant. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Christopher Church, the Vandalia-Butler Food Pantry or Hospice of Dayton in Father Bob's memory.