Father Michael Schelble

Father T. Michael Schelble, at the age of 79 and a priest for 54 years, died on Monday, January 26, 2015, in West Salem, Wisconsin.

Father Schelble was born on March 31, 1935, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Robert and Pearl (née Newman) Schelble. He attended Holy Trinity School and Holy Cross Seminary, both in La Crosse, and Saint John Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts. He was ordained on February 4, 1961, at Christ the King Chapel in Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse by the Most Reverend John P. Treacy, Bishop of La Crosse.

Father Schelble’s first assignment following ordination was an assistant to Father Bernard Duffy, Pastor of Saint James Parish in Wausau, on February 16, 1961. On June 19, 1963, he was assigned as Assistant Pastor at Saint Patrick Parish in Mauston and as a teacher at Madonna High School. He was assigned as Assistant Pastor at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Wisconsin Rapids in 1965; and then as Assistant Pastor at Notre Dame Parish in Chippewa Falls in 1966. On June 15, 1973, Father Schelble was also appointed as Chaplain at Saint Joseph Hospital, the Northern Wisconsin Colony and Chippewa County Hospital, all in Chippewa Falls. He was then appointed as Pastor of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Auburndale on January 15, 1992 and also as Pastor of Saint Michael Parish in Hewitt on July 1, 1996, where he served until he was granted the status of senior priest on July 1, 2005.

Father Schelble was a beloved son, brother, and uncle who brought grace and humor into his family. He is survived by his brothers and sisters Robert (Rita) Schelble, Patricia Schelble (Francis) Keaveny, William (Edna) Schelble, and Mary Schelble (Richard) Miller along with many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister Margaret Jane Schelble and his brother, Dr. Daniel (Susan) Schelble. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Lakeview Health Care Center of West Salem, who treated Fr. Schelble with dignity, love and kindness during his final years.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Monday, February 23, 2015 in Holy Trinity Church, 1333 So., 13^th St., La Crosse, Wis. The Most Reverend William P. Callahan, Bishop of La Crosse, will be the principal celebrant. Rev. Eugene Wolf will be the homilist. Burial will follow in the Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass on Monday.

Memorials are preferred to Lakeview Health Care Center of West Salem.