Roch Jacob NIEMIER

15 FEB 1939 - 31 DEC 2010

• BIRTH: 15 FEB 1939, South Bend, IN
• BURIAL: Franciscan Provincial Cemetery, Pulaski, WI.
• DEATH: 31 DEC 2010, South Bend, IN

INDEX

[N3135] Father Roch Jacob Niemier OFM
Feb. 15, 1939 - Dec. 31, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Father Roch Jacob Niemier, OFM. Born to eternal life on Friday, December 31, 2010 at age 71. Born in South Bend Indiana, in 1939 to the late Aloysius and Lottie Niemier. Preceded also in death by his sister, Sister Jude Niemier, CSFN. Roch entered the Order of Friars Minor in 1956 and made his Solemn Profession in 1961, and was ordained to the Priesthood in 1965. Fr. Roch spent his Franciscan life in several ministries. He was involved in and for several years directed the Formation programs for young friars in Milwaukee and Chicago. Roch also spent many years directing retreats throughout the country. For nearly 35 years, Roch was Director of the Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs which offer pilgrimage experiences for thousands of people to the Franciscan holy places; most notably Assisi and Rome. In 2004, Roch received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Saint Bonaventure University in New York which recognized his ministry of sharing the spirituality of the places attached to St. Francis and Clare. In recent years, Roch was the Provincial Spiritual Assistant to the Secular Franciscan Order. His entire life was spent sharing his passion for Franciscan life...past, present and future. Roch is survived by his brother, Aloysius (Carolyn) of South Bend, Indiana; his sister, Stella, of South Milwaukee; a nephew, Michael (Amy) of South Bend, Indiana; his life-long friend, Sister Caroline Jakubowski, SSND, and numerous friends and colleagues across the world, as well as his Franciscan Brothers of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province. A vigil and Visitation for Fr. Roch will take place on Monday, January 3, 2011, at St Clare Parish, 7616 Fritz St , Wind Lake, WI. from 7-9 p.m. A morning 9:30 a.m. Visitation will take place on Tuesday January 4, 2011, at St Clare Parish followed by his Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Internment in the Franciscan Provincial Cemetery, Pulaski, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Fr. Roch's memory to the Franciscan Friars Retirement Fund, or the Franciscan Pilgrimage Program 9230 W Highland Park Ave, Franklin, WI 53132, would be greatly appreciated.
Published in South Bend Tribune on January 2, 2011