South Bend, Ind. – Br. Dennis Lee Meyers, C.S.C., 80, died at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, on April 29, 2025, after a short illness.
Br. Dennis was born on June 2, 1944, in Lima, Ohio, to Richard N. and Velma B. (Baumgardner) Meyers and was their only child.
In 1965, Br. Dennis entered the Sacred Heart Novitiate, Jordan, Minn., and in 1966, professed First Vows as a religious of Holy Cross, at which time he entered the formation program at Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame. Br. Dennis returned home for a time to care for his mother, who was ill and was employed as a Deputy Court Bailiff to the Honorable Judge Robert Light, in Allen, Ohio. In 1983, he professed Final Vows in Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame, Indiana.
In 1981, his first assignment was Pastoral Assistant/Business Manager at St. Joseph Parish, South Bend, Indiana. This appointment continued for two years until he was assigned to St. Patrick Parish in South Bend as Pastoral Assistant and Business Manager for two years. In 1985, he was assigned to the University of Notre Dame, to serve as University Sacristan and Business Manager at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (then Sacred Heart Church). He was granted a sabbatical year from 2003-2004, while assisting Bishop Daniel Jenky, C.S.C. in the Diocese of Peoria. From 2004-2006, he was assigned to assist at Sacred Heart Parish, Lakeville, and to assist in Campus Ministry at Notre Dame until 2012. In 2007 until his passing, he was assigned to St. Mark Parish, Niles, Michigan (Diocese of Kalamazoo) as Pastoral Assistant/Parish Administrator while continuing to serve as Master of Ceremonies for Masses at Notre Dame, as well as for the Dioceses of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Peoria and Kalamazoo.
Br. Dennis served as a member of the Art and Environment Committee of Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana; Father Moreau Beatification Sculpture Committee at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart; Cedar Grove Cemetery Mausoleum Sculpture Committee; Coordinator for Special Projects and Events in Campus Ministry at the University of Notre Dame. Brother Dennis was a life member of the South Bend Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. 235; honorary life member of the Notre Dame Knights of Columbus Council #1477 (3rd Degree). Br. Dennis was an accomplished chef who enjoyed dining with friends. He will be missed by his many friends.
During his tenure as University Sacristan, he assisted in two major restorations of Sacred Heart Church. In 1989, after the last restoration, he was instrumental in Sacred Heart Church’s elevation to a Minor Basilica by His Holiness St. John Paul II in 1992.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET at St. Mark’s Parish in Niles, Michigan, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, with a Wake Service following at 7:30 p.m. ET. A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 am ET on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Notre Dame campus. You may join us via livestream at https://livestream.holycrossusa.org
Burial will be in the community cemetery at Notre Dame. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at https://donate.holycrossusa.org
