WICHITA — Father Eugene P. “Owen” Kenny, 83, retired priest of the Diocese of Dodge City, died Oct. 12, in Wichita. Eugene Kenny was born March 17, 1929, in Farebane Co., Offaly, Ireland, the son of Thomas and Mary Kate (Gilligan) Kenny. He took his seminary studies at St. Peter’s College in Wexford, Ireland and was ordained to the priesthood June 7, 1953, by the Most Rev. James Staunton, bishop of Ferns. Father Kenny was one of many Irish priests recruited in seminary for service in Kansas. His first assignment in the Diocese of Dodge City was assistant pastor at St. Rose of Lima Parish of Great Bend (1953-1958). He served as pastor at St. John the Apostle, St. John (1958-1964); St. Joan of Arc, Elkhart (1964-1969); St. Rose, Great Bend (1969-1972); St. Mary’s McCracken (1972-1975); St. Bernard’s Belpre (1976-1989); and St. Michael La Crosse, with St. Joseph, Liebenthal (1989-98). During his pastorate at Belpre, he also served as chaplain at Larned State Hospital. In 1998, Father Kenny retired to the Priests Retirement Center in Wichita.
Vigil will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, both at St. Elizabeth Chapel at Catholic Care Center. A memorial has been established with The Lord’s Diner, 520 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214. Tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com

Funeral arrangements provided by
Downing and Lahey Mortuary*
6555 E. Central
Wichita, Ks. 67206
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Oct. 15, 2013