Reverend Thomas M. Gaeke died on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, in Dayton, Ohio. He was born on March 20, 1948, in Dayton, and baptized at Holy Angels Church, Dayton. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary and studied Philosophy and Theology at Mount St. Mary Seminary of the West, Cincinnati. He was ordained on May 30, 1975, by Archbishop Joseph L. Bernardin at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Dayton.

Father Gaeke received his first assignment on June 20, 1975, as associate at Our Lord Christ the King Parish, Mt. Lookout, and to teach at McNicholas High School, Cincinnati. On July 17, 1978, he was appointed associate at St. Thomas Moore Parish, Withamsville, and to continue teaching at McNicholas High School.  In September 1979, he was appointed Director of Central Services for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and in February1980 he was appointed in residence at Saint Joseph Orphanage. He went on sabbatical in August 1985. On December 3, 1985, he was appointed associate at St. Ann Parish, Hamilton. He was appointed associate pastor of St. William Parish, Cincinnati, from September 4, 1990, to June 1, 1991. He was appointed temporary administrator of St. Michael Parish, Fort Loramie, effective July 9, 1991.  On September 20, 1991, he was appointed associate pastor at St. William Parish, Cincinnati.  He was appointed temporary administrator of Visitation Parish, Eaton, and St. John the Evangelist Parish, New Paris, on November 8, 1991. On January 24, 1992, he was appointed temporary administrator of Corpus Christi Parish, Dayton.  Father Gaeke was appointed pastor of St. Mary Parish, Dayton, on June 2, 1992, for a period of six years. On July 12, 1994, he was appointed temporary administrator of Resurrection Parish, Dayton, while continuing as pastor of St. Mary Parish.  Father Gaeke was appointed pastor of Holy Family Parish, Dayton, for a period of six years, effective June 8, 1995, while continuing as pastor of St. Mary Parish.  He was reappointed as pastor of St. Mary Parish, Dayton, for another six-year term, commencing on June 3, 1998. Father Gaeke was appointed temporary parochial vicar at Holy Redeemer Parish, New Breman, effective from August 16, 2001, through December 10, 2001.  Father Gaeke retired on April 1, 2013.

Reception of the Body: Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 310 Allen Street, Dayton, Ohio 45410; (937-256-5633.) Celebrant: Reverend Anthony J. Geraci. Visitation: following Reception of the Body until 8:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary Church, Dayton. Celebrant: Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon. Homilist: Monsignor William Schooler.

Burial: Wednesday, September 21, 2022, following the Mass of Christian Burial, at Calvary Cemetery, 1625 Calvary Drive, Dayton, Ohio 45409. (937-293-1221) Celebrant: Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon.