Obituary of Bishop Joseph Imesch

The Most Reverend Joseph L. Imesch, DD Peacefully was called home Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home. Joseph Imesch was born on June 21, 1931 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, the second son of immigrant Swiss parents, Dionys and Margaret (Margelisch) Imesch. He was baptized at St. Ambrose Church in Grosse Pointe, and later attended the parish elementary school as well as St. Paul Elementary School in Grosse Pointe Farms. He completed his high school and college education at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. Joseph Imesch earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology (STL) while studying in Rome at the North American College (1953-1957). On December 16, 1956, he was ordained to the priesthood in Rome and completed further studies at the Gregorian University (1969 - 1970). After ordination, he was assigned to St. Charles Parish in Detroit (1957) where he served as associate pastor until becoming Secretary to John Cardinal Dearden from 1959 to 1971. Father Imesch was named pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington, Michigan in 1971 and served in that capacity until 1977. On April 3, 1973, while yet ministering as a pastor, he was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit. Bishop Imesch served as Regional Bishop of the Northwest Region of Detroit from 1977 to 1979 until being named as Bishop of Joliet. On August 28, 1979, he was installed as Third Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet. Shortly after arriving in Joliet in 1979, Bishop Imesch, together with the late Senator George Sangmeister and local business women and men, created the Housing Foundation of Will County, and established the Daybreak Shelter to provide emergency services to the homeless. On a monthly basis, throughout the years, the Bishop could be seen at Daybreak helping to feed the poor. In 1986, the Bishop began the first Diocesan Annual Appeal in order to raise funds to support the efforts of the diocesan agencies and offices as well as to provide support for the education of seminarians. In 1996, he established the Joliet Diocesan Catholic Education Foundation, dedicated to the advancement of Catholic education through providing long-term financial support to families of children who attend Catholic schools. With the support of Bishop Imesch, the Diocesan Peace and Justice Office began its mission outreach program. A sister relationship with the Diocese of Sucre in Bolivia was established. In addition to being responsible for building a hospital in Sucre, the Bishop also ensured that the medical staff received sufficient training. In addition to his service to the clergy, religious and laity of the diocese, Bishop Imesch served on various local, regional and national boards. Bishop Imesch won the respect of his brother bishops on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for his dedication and tenacity. Although Bishop Imesch officially retired as Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, on May 16, 2006, he continued to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation, and serve wherever and whenever needed. Bishop Imesch will be fondly remembered as a good shepherd; as someone who loved being a priest; who had an open door policy regarding his priests; who cared about people; who always said "yes" to the requests he received; and who put his love for God's people, especially the poor and disadvantaged, into concrete action. Preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John (Donna) Imesch; and his sister, Janet (John) Wendling. Surviving are eight nephews, Dennis Wendling, Thomas (Linda) Wendling, Edward Wendling, Robert (Mary) Imesch, David (Beverly) Imesch, Jay Imesch, John (Dawn) Imesch and Patrick (Kristin) Imesch; and three nieces, Judith (Michael) Sumeracki, Mary Ann (Gordon) Kudirka and Dona (Shawn) Spry. Numerous great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. The body of Bishop Joseph L. Imesch will be received at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 North Raynor Avenue, Joliet, IL at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 28, 2015. He will then lie in state until 8:00 p.m. at the Cathedral, and again Tuesday morning from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. Evening Prayer will be celebrated on Monday at 7:00 p.m. The Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral. Interment will immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL. Fred C. Dames Funeral Homes in charge of arrangements. For information: (815) 741-5500 or to visit the Bishop's online Book of Memories, you may go to www.fredcdames.com.