Thomas Reilman Obituary

Rev. Thomas J. Reilman

May 21, 1928 - August 3, 2025

Father Thomas Reilman, devoted servant of Christ and Priest of the Diocese of Davenport, entered into eternal rest on August 3, 2025. He was 97.

Thomas Joseph Reilman was born May 21, 1928, to Fredrick and Helen Reilman, in Fort Wayne, Ind. He began his journey of faith at St. Jude School before moving to Davenport, Iowa, where he attended St. Ambrose Academy. He graduated from St. Ambrose College in 1950, and later earned a master's degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Following college, he worked in the Quad Cities for International Harvester and John Deere as a chemist. He studied at St. Ambrose and Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque before being ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1961, at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Fr. Reilman's priestly ministry began in education, serving on the faculty of St. Ambrose College (1961 to 1966), then Assumption High School (1966 to 1967) in Davenport. His first parish assignment came in 1967 as assistant pastor of the former St. Boniface Parish in Clinton. From there, he faithfully served in a series of parishes across the Diocese: as administrator and later pastor of St. Mary Parish in Dodgeville /Kingston (1970 to 1981), pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Lost Nation (1981 to 1983), and pastor of St. Mary Parish in Wilton (1983 to 1991), and chaplain St Francis Nursing Home Burlington. He lived his final years in Dubuque.

Fr. Reilman never lost his childlike excitement for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and lived in joyful anticipation of the day he would meet the Lord, his maker, face to face. Throughout his ministry, Fr. Reilman had a special devotion to the Holy Spirit.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Margaret Ufheil (Louisville, Ky.) and Helen Nix (Davenport); brother, Robert Reilman (Atlanta, Ga.); Aunt Edith Steel; and cousins, Jim and Bill Steel.

He leaves behind many nephews, nieces, grateful parishioners, brother priests, and friends in Christ. May he be welcomed with joy into the arms of our Heavenly Father.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Father Reilman will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 916 E. Rusholme Street, Davenport. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday in the gathering space at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Diocese of Davenport Seminarians. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.