July 24, 1962

Father Leo Debes

Father Debes was born on February 22, 1902 in Claflin and attended elementary school at Holy Family School in Odin. After attending St. Benedict’s College, Atchison; St. Lawrence College, Mt. Calvary, WI; and St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, IN, he was ordained for the Diocese of Wichita by Bishop Schwertner on June 11, 1927. He served in Pittsburg, Cunningham, Yates Center, La Crosse, Schulte, Clonmel, Chase, Fowler, Meade, Newton and Ost. His final assignment was to Sacred Heart Parish in Arkansas City from September of 1961 until July of 1962 when he retired became of illness. Father Debes died on July 24, 1962. “His funeral took place, July 27, 1962, from St. Rose Church, Great Bend, with Bishop Carroll as celebrant of the Pontifical Mass of Requiem. The body of Father Debes was laid to rest in the Holy Family Cemetery, Odin, Kansas, his home parish.” (History of the Diocese of Wichita, p. 293)