Reverend Harold W. Kist, 70, of Lakeview, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, at Kindred Hospital, Lima.
He was born Sept. 20, 1946, in Cincinnati, to the late Earl and Helen Scroggins Kist. He was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Kist, and a sister, Helen Waschler.
Father Harry is survived by his close special friend, Dona Fischer, and first cousin, Joanne Hoar.
Father Kist was a member of the first graduating class at LaSalle High School in 1964. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary and studied philosophy and theology at Mount St. Mary Seminary of the West. He was ordained on May 25, 1974, by Archbishop Joseph L. Bernardin at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati.
Father Kist received his first appointment on June 19, 1974, as Associate at St. Mary Parish, Springfield. On Aug. 19, 1977, he was appointed Resident Associate at St. Raphael Parish, Springfield, and faculty of Springfield Central Catholic High School. On July 7, 1978, Father Kist was appointed Chaplain of Our Lady of Mercy Hospital. While continuing as Chaplain, he was appointed in residence and Associate of St. Margaret of Cortona Parish, Cincinnati, on Sept. 3, 1980. On June 14, 1981, Father Kist was appointed Chaplain of Fort Scott Camp. On Sept. 6, 1981, he was appointed Associate at Sacred Heart Parish, Fairfield. Father Kist was then appointed Associate Pastor at All Saints Parish, Cincinnati, on August 4, 1987. On Feb. 14, 1989, he was appointed Temporary Administrator of St. John Neumann Parish, Cincinnati. On July 5, 1989, Father Kist was appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Greenville and reappointed to another six-year term as pastor commencing on July 6, 1995. He was appointed Pastor of St. Mary of the Woods Parish, Russells Point on July 8, 1998. He was reappointed as Pastor for two additional six-year terms, the first term commencing on July 9, 2004, and the second term commencing on July 9, 2010. Father Kist was appointed as a member of the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati from Aug. 22, 2006 to Nov. 3, 2010, then reappointed as a member for a five-year term on Nov. 3, 2010, to Nov. 3, 2015. Father Kist retired on Jan. 3, 2011. He was appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Mary of the Woods Parish, Russells Point, effective Aug. 1, 2014.
Reception of the Body is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at St. Mary of the Woods Church, 464 Madison Ave., Russells Point with Celebrant and Homilist Rev. Shawn R. Landenwich, with visitation from 2 to 6 p.m. at the church. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer will begin Mass of Christian Burial at 6 p.m. at the church. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, at St. Mary Cemetery, 701 E. Ross Ave., Cincinnati, with Celebrant, Deacon Steve Brown.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Reverend Harold W. Kist Memorial Fund for St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church.
Arrangements are in the care of Shoffstall Funeral Home, Lakeview. Condolences may be expressed at shoffstallfuneralhome.com.