Rev. Mark Gottemoeller
June 10, 1949 ~ December 15, 2017
Rev. Mark Gottemoeller, MDiv, MA, 68, Mooresville, a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, passed away December 15, 2017, in IU Methodist Hospital, from complications after surgery. Fr. Mark was born June 10, 1949, in Indianapolis, to the late Walter Louis and Josephine (Hansing) Gottemoeller. He graduated from St. Jude Grade School, the Latin School, and St. Meinrad Seminary.
He was ordained to the priesthood on May 22, 1976 and served as an associate pastor of St. Gabriel, Connersville; St. Joseph, Shelbyville, Holy Family, Richmond; St. Mary, Greensburg. Fr. Mark was named pastor of St. Augustine, Leopold in 1985 and concurrently served as administrator of St. Mark, Perry County. He became pastor of St. Martin of Tours in Martinsville in 1993, and was pastor of St. Thomas More, Mooresville until 2016. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for years and served as chaplain of the St. Thomas More Council 7431 and as faithful friar of the Bishop Chatard Assembly 245.
Fr. Mark was a lover of nature and the outdoors. He had an incredible talent for gardening, but especially enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was an avid reader and very fond of history and philosophy. He had an ability to remain in touch with many individuals he met during his years of ministry. He always enjoyed opportunities to spend time with his sister and her family, including his two nieces and nephew.
Survivors include one sister, Christine (Dan) Dittman of Dayton, Ohio; nephew, Matt (Jessie) Dittman; nieces, Katie Dittman and Maggy Dittman.
Reception of the Body will be at 3 p.m., Wednesday, December 20, 2017, in St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1200 N. Indiana Street, Mooresville. Visitation will follow in the church from 3 – 8 p.m., Wednesday. A Vigil Service will be observed at 7:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be held from 10 – 11 a.m., Thursday, December 21, 2017, in St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 6000 W. 34th Street, Indianapolis. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, at St. Gabriel. Cremation will follow, and inurnment will be private on Friday morning in the Priests’ Circle at Calvary Cemetery, Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Relief Services or to St. Meinrad Seminary. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Rest in Peace Father Mark. He was an amazing priest and continued friend to the Mullis family in southern Indiana! You will be very much missed.
Rest in Peace Fr. Mark. Many memories. Great Priest. Joe and Becky Blum of St. Mark Parish-Perry County.
Where do I start – Fr Mark was a true friend we enjoyed having him join in our little group wheather going out to eat, getting together with us in our homes as a group or individually. We are shocked and saddened by his passing and we will truly miss him. May God bless his soul as well as his sister and family in this this time of sorrow and n the days to come.
Father Mark presided at our wedding 36 years ago at St Mary’s church in Greensburg. Prayers for his family and parishioners. Rest in peace Fr Mark.
We will be forever grateful for all Fr. Mark has done for our family. We will cherish his memory all the days of our lives. We will miss him. The Carl and Linda Jones family.
What a blessing to have known him and having a chance to spend a day with him at the State Fair this summer. He did get into the music of the 60’s with the Happy Together Tour. He will by sorely missed.. Grant eternal rest unto him oh Lord, and may your perpetual shine upon him, may his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed be forever in your presence,
Father Mark has always been in my thoughts. I made my first confession with him, was confirmed under him at St. Augustine’s in Leopold, he came to my graduation party, and even hunted pheasant with my dad. I loved the way he preached his homily and loved his sense of humor. I was just talking with my husband this week about how much I missed him and wanted to attend a mass with him. He truly left a lasting impression on me and he will be missed.
Father Mark will surely be missed by many people. He was not only our past parish priest but a person we considered to be our friend. He had so much knowledge about any subject be it politics, history or just about how someone was doing in the community. He had so many projects in progress at his house that by the time he showed them all to you your head was spinning. We will never forget him coming back to St. Thomas More to help celebrate our 50th anniversary mass this past November.
May you rest in peace Father Mark.
Mike & Brenda Mattingly
We will miss Father Mark. He was a fellow woodworker who always had a project in progress. He also was an avid sportsman, who loved his birds and his dogs. Also an avid reader, he could discuss philosophy and politics. We will miss his drop in visits and phone calls. Rest in peace, Father Mark. Joan & Kelly Maxfield
I have fond memories of Father Mark making history come alive for me, sharing family stories, and getting lunch after mass. Rest in peace until we meet again.
My farther passed away on October the 20th we had his service on the 26th of Oct. It was his wish farther Mark done his mass I will be always so grateful for Farther Mark doing this I did not know him personally but may he rest in piece. Prayers for all. He was my dad’s favorite priest .
was lit in memory of Rev. Mark Gottemoeller
Father Mark was a friend for over 30 years your life made all better. Thank you for marrying my son, baptizing my daughter and confirming my middle son. Helping me cook meals, giving me lodging, taking me shopping with “our” infant after mother died, I will never forget that! Sleeping on my floor, going on vacation with us, being the great consultant when I needed a friend. I will never forget your might purpose, the ߦ† you loved so much, your Hunting dogs calling us your family at your 25th Archdiocese Anniversary. I may not be with you this week as fate has it but I’ll be at your grave site soon just you and I to pray for my dearest most friend and supporter of my family and children. With one jingle of a bell God knew you well and Home where you are sitting just a spell. Until we meet again may Peace be with you! I will always love you! Lori Ann Collins Herbert Boas
God Bless Father Mark. Thank you for always being there for our family. May you Rest In Peace in Heaven as you watch over us. You were a kind and wonderful man who taught us well with life lessons and knowledge of the Lord. God Blessߙϰߏ»
The loss is stunning and leaves a sad ache in our hearts. We will miss going to the opera with you, Father Mark, and humming the arias in the car on the way home. And what about those meals (let’s be honest, the venues were mostly Italian) where there was always room for dessert? Who could forget your homemade linguini with white clam sauce! (But why ever did you need so much extra olive oil and flour?) But mostly we will miss your wise counsel, your depth of knowledge of history and philosophy, your passion for Lectio Divina, and your fact-filled and inspirational sermons. Rest in peace, Father Mark.
was given in memory of Rev. Mark Gottemoeller
Father Mark sat many times with us during the sickness of my husband Bill,we needed him to give the last rites he drove from Leopold to IU Hospital in record time.Father sat with us until the morning hours.May God Bless him and his family.Patty Owens Family
Father Mark was our Parish priest during my high school years in Connersville. He was always very involved in the youth activities and I have fond memories of Father Mark’s leadership at our CYO retreats and other youth trips. I still remember a youth group dinner with his parents in Indianapolis followed by a trip to the movies to see Tommy – A Rock Opera. Father Mark always found a way to relate to the youth and always made faith building and sharing comfortable. Rest in Peace Father Mark!
The loss of Father Mark is so hard to take in and absorb. Father Mark was not only a great priest but a very dear friend. He was always there for us spiritually, a prayer and comfort but he was also there too for a good story ( you learned something every time you were with him!), and a good laugh! We will miss our dinners and outings with him. The BEST! Paul and Ann Myers
What a shock that Father Mark has passed on. It appears that OUR FATHER needed him in Heaven more than he was needed on Earth! We will miss our dear friend, shooting partner, counselor, pastor, scripture interpreter, and teacher. I always looked forward to your sermons as I knew that I was about to learn something new. You were able to bring the Mass to life for all in the church or chapel. Thank you for spending some time with us during your life. You are and will continue to be missed. You will always live in our hearts, and as long as you are remembered you are still with us till we join you in the Afterlife of Heaven. Until we meet again!
Glenn and Sherry Huber
David and Kathy Herbert, what an amazing man, friend,teacher,and counselor. Mark was Davids best friend, Mark kept it simple. I only knew him for about ten years But what an impact he has made on my life I will miss all of our cooking together, sharing of wine, and he taught me how to fly fish we had great trips together. David’s children Adam,Ethan and Moriah have all received blessings from you,these blessing have formed the children into great adults,but most of all you were always there for David and him for you. Friendships like yours never fade they get more vibrant each passing day. Thanks for being our friend God Bless
Our deepest condolences to the family. It is a huge lost, to lose such a great man. He was truly a dear friend. Father Mark, was always there when we needed him the most! There are no words that can describe how kind hearted and nurturing he were to us all. I can’t believe we won’t get to see that bright smile! It sure could shine light on any gloomy day! Love you to the moon and beyond! God Bless♡♡♡♡
Roe Family
We will cherish the memories we have of Father Mark always. From above, may he help us along life’s path… until we meet again . Peace , Donna and Dennis Love
Father Mark was the first priest I ever really got to know as a late blooming Catholic middle aged man. Honored and blessed to say that my babtism into Christ was at his hands. Watched him lead the flock at St. Martins for a decade. He built his church with grace and love. His example of living the Christian life and loving all will always be my roadmap through my own path of spirituality. Thank you Father Mark for your faith, guidance, commitment to church, interaction with my family and spiritual leadership. RIP Father Mark. Praying to walk and talk with you again at some point in the future.
Tom Sims & Family (Jeannette, Bryan and Amanda).
Father Mark helped me to get my Mother’s funeral prepared. Prior to leaving for Florida, where she resided, he and I spoke several times. I had to meet with him, thinking he wanted my scriptures, and the readings we picked out. But he asked that I sit with him in the conference room. He wanted to learn about my Mother, many details, he listened and wrote notes. He wanted to get to know her. And also inquired about my siblings, my family history. I was touched, deeply, because with her sudden death, it was a difficult time. He was my “savior” during a very difficult time. I am speechless, and the tears are coming. I am thankful for his presence, the gift of his mentorship, and helping me get through a very difficult time. A life altering time in my life. Rest in Peace Father Mark – God bless
Kelly Writt-Cooper and Children
was lit in memory of Rev. Mark Gottemoeller
Fr. Mark’s friendship and presence in the community will surely be missed by many. His care and concern, especially for those hurting, was quite admirable. May you rest in peace, Fr. Mark.
The Branson Family
I had heard so much about Fr. Mark before he came to St. Thomas that I felt I already knew him. My friends were right, he was so kind and understanding. He was my boss for almost his entire tenure at St. Thomas, and a good and supportive friend as well as my priest. I will fondly remember the lunches we have shared, keeping in touch after retiring. May he rest in peace, as he helped so many of us to find peace.
Our family always thought the world of Fr Mark. He and my son Mike had a special bond and always kept in touch. He would always stop and talk about how school was going and would even come to some to some of his soccer games. Mike was so proud the day he was married and Fr Mark performed the ceremony for him and Kasey on 11/1/2014 at Rose Hulman the year he Graduated.
Rest in peace Fr Mark and thank you for the many years of wisdom and guidance. The Schiff Family
Father Mark has been in my life since I can remember. He was my priest at St. Martin’s from the time I was about 5 years old. He was always there for my family, and even went to Mexico to marry my husband and I in a bilingual, bicultural ceremony. More recently I had the honor of taking my new-born daughter to her first mass, which was his last mass before retiring. I’ll never forget the very important roll he played in our lives. I am so saddened to hear he has passed. He is at piece, but leaves a painful space in our hearts. We love you, our friend, our mentor, Father Mark.
Christine,
So sorry to hear of Mark’s death. I was able to talk with him briefly at your mother’s funeral, sorry I was unable to speak with you though. Saw him a few other times through the years. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Maybe you could text your current address, as my daughter’s husband is transferring to PWAFB by spring and we will be in the area frequently once they move. (317.442.7772)
W e treasure your time at STM & the gifts you shared of time, warmth & love. You will always share part of our church history. Rest & peace
I just learned of the passing of father Mark he was my Priest at St Gabriel in Connersville he gave me my instructions there where I was baptized and my children also. Susan and Anne Everage. Father Mark will be greatly missed. Peace and LOVE to you always. Father Mark
I miss you Father Mark. I miss your sermons, your smile, your laugh, your wisdom, your friendship, and your spiritual guidance. My dad became Catholic because of Father Mark’s spiritual guidance and received the sacraments from him on April 8, 2012. My family loved Father Mark. He would come over for family dinners and spent many hours at the hospital when my dad was ill and dying. I never truly realized the treasure I had in Father Mark until he was gone. I pray for your soul continuously. I miss his phone calls to check and see how life was going and meeting for coffee or hanging out with our St. Thomas More family. Thank you Father Mark for your unwavering friendship, care, and love. You are dearly missed and loved.