Fr. Joseph Van Leeuwen, C.P.

Fr. Joseph Van Leeuwen, C.P., 81, of Kochi, India, died February 28, 2017 in Kochi. His death was unexpected.

He was born Norman Eugene Van Leeuwen on January 28, 1936 in St. Paul, Kansas to Anthony L. "Tony" and Eugenia Ann (Smith) Van Leeuwen. He attended a one-room school there before moving with his family to Walnut. He graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Walnut. After graduating from high school, he entered the Passionist Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 18. On July 9, 1957, he made his first vows as a Passionist and changed his name to Joseph. He spent ten years studying and training before his Ordination to the Priesthood on May 23, 1964.

He served as Provincial Secretary, Associate Pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Chicago, Illinois; Pastor at Holy Cross Immaculata Parish in Cincinnati, Ohio; Newman Center Chaplain at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Il.; Pastor of the African American Parish in Birmingham, Alabama; and had spent the past 20 years at the Passionist Mission in Southern India.

Survivors include two brothers, Rodman C. "Rod" Van Leeuwen and his wife, Twyla, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Bernard "Ben" Van Leeuwen of Bloomington, Indiana; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, William Joseph Van Leeuwen; and one sister, Clara Frederick.

Memorial Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Burial will be in the St. Francis Church garden.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com .