Deacon Reinhart Wessing

Age 80, passed away at his home on Sunday February 24, 2008. Reinhart was born on May 10, 1927 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, son of the late Edward and Regina (Jaeckels) Wessing. He graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1946. Reinhart was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran serving as a hospital corpsman from 1945 to 1947. He attended St. Lawrence Seminary in Mt. Calvary, and graduated from Marquette University in 1954 with a degree in Journalism. He married Mary Rita Scott on September 10, 1955 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Freeport, Illinois, and she survives him. Reinhart was a journalist with various publications including, The Freeport Journal Standard and The Kankakee Daily Journal, both in Illinois. He was also with the Appleton Post Crescent, the Green Bay diocesan newspaper, The Compass, formerly, The Spirit, and Together in Faith. Reinhart also worked at Kimberly Clark in public relations and corporate recruiting. On October 20, 1973, he was ordained to the Permanent Deaconate. He served the Green Bay Diocese as Director of Communications, Director of the Pro Life Office, and Director of the Permanent Deaconate. He also was the Director of the Holy Cross Retreat Center in Merrill, WI. from 1982 to 1988. He was Parish Director at St. Anne's in St. Anna, WI, from 1988 to 1992. He then served as a Deacon at St. Aquinas Catholic Church in Freeport, Illinois, from 1992 to 1994. Reinhart served as a Deacon at his home parish, St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Appleton from 1973 to 1982, and 1994 until his death.

In addition to his wife, Reinhart is survived by his children, Mary C. Wessing, Green Bay; Therese M.(Al) Canales, Irving, Texas; Mark S. Wessing, Chandler, Arizona; Matthew E. (Yvonne) Wessing, Appleton. He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren, Alex and Megan Duff, William and Beth Canales, Nick, Steve, and Emily Wessing; and a brother- in- law, Donald (Percy) Scott, and nieces and nephews. Reinhart is preceded in death by his in- laws, Dennis and Freida Scott, his daughter, Bridget M. Wessing on June 18, 2007, his sister- in- law, Jane Scott, and his niece, Sandra Scott.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday February 28, 2008 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1810 N. McDonald Street in Appleton with Bishop Robert Morneau as the celebrant and Fr. Gerald Falk as the concelebrant. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Wednesday at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St., Appleton with a prayer service at 6:30 PM. There will also be visitation at the church on Thursday from 9:00 AM until the time of services. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Appleton. Memorials are being established for St. Thomas More Catholic Church, The American Heart Association, and Affinity Hospice.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior St.
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231