The Rev. Harry Cavanaugh, C.PP.S., 85, died at 6:45 p.m. May 21, 2014, at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, where he had made his home for several years. He had been in failing health.

He was born July 30, 1928, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Edward and Ann McCollum Cavanaugh. He entered the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in 1942 and was ordained May 15, 1954.

Surviving are a sister, Betty (Alfred) Sterling, Pittsburgh; a brother, Daniel (Kathleen) Cavanaugh, Lebanon, N.J.; numerous nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Deceased are his brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Elva Cavanaugh.

Cavanaugh spent most of his life as a priest in parish ministry. His early assignments included St. Remy Church, Russia, and St. Andrew Church, Tipton, Mo. In 1963, he was named assistant pastor of St. Michael Church, Kalida, and there he ministered until 1974, when he was named pastor of St. Anthony Church, St. Anthony.

He remained at St. Anthony for 10 years, until his appointment as pastor of St. Paul Church, Sharpsburg. In 1990, he was named parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Church, Celina, and a year later became pastor of St. Bernard Church, Burkettsville, where he served from 1991-95.

In 1995, he became a chaplain at the Maria-Joseph Center, Dayton, where he ministered for three years, until his appointment as associate pastor of St. Boniface Church, New Riegel, in 1998. In 2003, he was appointed senior associate pastor of the Marion Catholic Community in Maria Stein. He ministered there until his retirement to St. Charles in 2008.

Throughout his life as a priest, Cavanaugh "served his people with love and dedication," said Fr. Ken Schroeder, C.PP.S., who ministered with him in Maria Stein. "Fr. Harry really loved the priesthood and the people he served were well aware of that. He loved his time in the Marion Catholic Community, and he felt especially close to the young people and they to him."

It was Cavanaugh's routine to knock on parishioners' doors in the evening, stopping by to visit. "He maintained strong relationships with former parishioners dating all the way back to his first assignment," Fr. Schroeder said. "Fr. Harry was truly a great priest, one of a kind."

A Mass of Christian Burial is 2 p.m. Monday at St. Charles, Fr. Thomas Hemm, C.PP.S., presiding, and Fr. Schroeder as homilist. Burial will follow in the Community cemetery.

Calling is 1-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at St. Charles Center, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, Cincinnati Province.

Arrangements are being handled by Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.