Capuchin friar Fr. Lloyd Thiel, who was the for many in metro Detroit the ‘face’ of the Capuchins, died Sept. 19 at St. Bonaventure Monastery, Detroit. He was 80.
Born in Hilbert, Wis., he was invested as a Capuchin in 1948, perpetually professed in 1952, and ordained a priest in 1956.
From 1957-1973, he ministered at St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mount Calvary, Wis., where he had been a student.
Fr. Thiel was elected provincial minister in 1973 and served the Detroit-based Capuchin Province of St. Joseph for two terms. He served as director of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen for 14 years.
Before his retirement in 2004, Fr. Thiel served in the province’s development office in Detroit. He was also a part of the pastoral care team at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, and assisted at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Lincoln Park, Sacred Hear Parisht in Roseville, and other parishes. He considered this work to be “the crown of his ministry,” as he could concentrate on serving as a spiritual advisor.
Fr. Thiel was described as “a friar of great passion and compassion” by Capuchin Fr. John Celichowski, the current provincial minister.
He is survived by brothers, Melvin of Chilton; Wis., Harold of Hilbert; Wis., and Leon of Appleto; and a sister, Alice Steiner of Chilton.
Visitation was set for Thursday, Sept. 23, from 3-8 p.m., at the Verheyden Funeral Home 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park; and Friday, Sept. 24, from 1-9 p.m. and Satufday, Sept. 25, from 9-10:30 a.m., at St. Bonaventure Monastery Chapel, 1780 Mount Elliot Ave., Detroit, with a Scripture service at 7 p.m., Friday.
A funeral Mass was to be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 25, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel.
Burial was to be in Mount. Calvary, Wis.
Memorials to St. Bonaventure Monastery or the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mount Elliott Ave., Detroit 48207
