Fr. Ronald J. Bandle, Priest son of St. Mary's in Woodland, currently residing in Milwaukee, passed away Sat., Jan. 6, 2001, while officiating Mass. He was 59 years old. Fr. Bandle was born to Elmer J. and Dorothy (Wolf) Bandle on Sept. 24, 1941 in Richfield, WI. He began his studies for the priesthood in 1956 at St. Francis Minor Seminary, graduating from St. Francis Major Seminary in 1968. Fr. Bandle was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1968 by The Most Rev. William E. Cousins, Archbishop of Milwaukee at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. He said his first Mass at Holy Family Church in Reeseville, WI. On June 18, 1968, Fr. Bandle began his priestly ministry as an associate pastor at St. John the Baptist Parish in Plymouth. He was appointed the associate pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Milwaukee on June 16, 1970 and on Jan. 18, 1972, was named associate pastor at Patrick Parish in Fond du Lac. Father was named associate pastor at St. Mary Parish, Menomonee Falls on June 18, 1974, and at Holy Apostles Parish, New Berlin, on June 16, 1981. He was appointed a pastoral team member for St. Mary Parish, Waukesha on Aug. 30, 1983. Fr. Bandle was appointed to his first pastorate on May 30, 1989, serving Sacred Heart Parish, Allenton, that included the Mission of St. Matthias, Nabob. On July 1, 1992, he was appointed pastor at St. Anthony Parish, Allenton and SS Peter and Paul Parish, Nenno while remaining pastor at Sacred Heart, Allenton. Father resigned from his pastorate on Dec. 7, 1992. He was named assisting priest at St. Joseph and St. Kilian Parishes, Lyons and to Nursing Home Ministry in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on June 18, 1996. Preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Elmer Jr., Gerald and Michael; 1 niece, Michele Malterer. Mass of Christian Burial Wed. at St. Matthew Church, Neosho. Private burial St. Mary's Cemetery, Woodland. Matenaer-Schramka Funeral Home assisted the family.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
January 9, 2001