Father Robert Joseph Monnin, retired educator and pastor, passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on September 6, 1929 in Russia, Ohio. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in Norwood. Fr. Monnin also received a Master’s degree in Education from Xavier University.

He was ordained on May 28, 1955 at St. Monica Cathedral in Cincinnati by Archbishop Karl J. Alter.

Fr. Monnin received his first assignment on June 16, 1955 as assistant rector at St. Peter Oratory, Middletown, and full-time teacher at Fenwick High School, Middletown. In August 1960, he was appointed administrator of Piqua Catholic High School, Piqua, and assistant at St. Mary Parish, Piqua, as well as administrator of St. Teresa Parish, Covington, Ohio. On September 1, 1970, Fr. Monnin was appointed principal of Lehman High School in Sidney while continuing at St. Teresa Parish, Covington.

On June 15, 1972, Fr. Monnin was appointed pastor of St. John Parish, Fryburg. In August 1972, he was appointed Superintendent of Catholic Education for the Sidney Area while continuing as administrator of St. John Parish, Fryburg. Fr. Monnin was appointed pastor of St. Patrick Parish, St. Patrick, on June 20, 1973 and Dean of the Sidney Deanery on January 25, 1978. He was then appointed as the Director of the Cable Television Program for Dayton and the Northern area of the Archdiocese on July 3, 1980 as well as in residence at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Dayton.

Fr. Monnin was appointed Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, Dayton, on September 1, 1981 while continuing his work in the Communications Office. On July 1, 1982 he was appointed pastor of St. Christopher Parish, Vandalia. He was appointed Dean of the Dayton Deanery on July 1, 1983 for a three and a half year term; then in November 1986, he was appointed to another four year term. Fr. Monnin was appointed a member of the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese for a five year term on November 3, 1995. He retired on June 30, 2000.

Reception of the body will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, at St. Christopher Church, Vandalia. Visitation will continue until 8 p.m. at the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 19, at St. Christopher with Most

Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati, presiding. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at St. Remy Cemetery in Russia.