Rev. Paul Landwerlen Obituary

Rev. Paul Landwerlen, 97, died on Monday, May 26, 2025, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. 

He was born January 28, 1928, in Indianapolis to Martin and Mildred (Worden) Landwerlen. They preceded him in death along with two of his brothers, Robert and Thomas. He is survived by another brother, Richard, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Father Landwerlen attended Cathedral High School in Indianapolis for two years and then entered seminary at St. Meinrad. He was ordained a priest on May 3, 1954. During his early years, he served as associate pastor at St. Andrew Church in Richmond, St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Indianapolis, and St. Ambrose Church in Seymour. He served as pastor of St. Mary Church in Mitchell, Our Lord Jesus Christ the King Church in Paoli, Holy Trinity Church in Indianapolis, St. Thomas More Church in Mooresville, St. Gabriel Church in Indianapolis and St. Vincent de Paul Church in Shelbyville. After 59 years of active ministry, he retired in 2013 but continued to fill in as a priest at St. Vincent and St. Joseph, as well as many other parishes. In his retirement, he also led Cursillo weekends and served as chaplain of the Fr. Seger Council No. 10371 Knights of Columbus. 

At his request, Fr. Landwerlen’s funeral Mass and burial will take place at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Shelbyville. Not only did he serve St. Vincent de Paul Parish as the pastor for his last 17 years of full-time active ministry, but his great grandparents became members of the church when they came to America in 1854 and started their farm in Shelby County. His great uncle, Fr. Francis Joseph Rudolph, was also the pastor of St. Vincent and built the current church in 1880, which suffered a terrible fire in 1924 and was rebuilt in 1926. Fr. Landwerlen took care of many projects during his years at St. Vincent, but was most proud when the bells – which had been silent for so long – returned and once again, in a brand new steeple, rang out over the countryside, calling parishioners to worship.

Visitation will be from 1:30 to 4 pm, Sunday, June 1, 2025 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 4218 E. Michigan Road, Shelbyville. The rosary will be recited at 1pm. The Office of the Dead will follow at 4:30pm. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am, Monday, June 2, 2025, at the church, with Archbishop Charles Thompson celebrating and Father Mike Keucher preaching. Other priests will concelebrate as well. Friends may gather from 9:30am until the time of Mass. 

Interment will be at St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery in Shelbyville. 

Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. 

Online condolences may be shared with Fr. Paul’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.