August 9, 1959
Father Richard Dei
Father Dei was born on March 20, 1875 in Wheeling, WV where he attended St. Alphonsus’ Parish School. In preparation for ordination as a Capuchin Father he studied at St. Fidelis College in Herman, PA and St. Peter and Paul’s Clericate in Cumberland, MD. Cardinal Gibbons ordained Father Dei in Baltimore, MD on June 14, 1898. He served in Hays, KS; Charleston, WV; Cumberland, MD; Pittsburgh, PA; again in Hays, KS; and Ashland, KS. He joined the Diocese of Wichita in 1914 and served in Sitka, Kinsley, Yates Center and Owl Creek, Mt. St. Mary’s Convent, Winfield Hospital, and Caldwell. During his years in the diocese Father Dei was also a Junior Clergy Examiner and Censor Liborum. In 1944 he retired and returned to his birthplace in Wheeling, WV where he died on August 9, 1959. His funeral Mass was celebrated in his home parish of St. Alphonsus in Wheeling, WV.