Name: Jarrell, Stephen T.
Born: 05/04/1947
Place
Ordained: 05/20/1973
Place Ordained: Indianapolis, Indiana
Years of Service: 1973-2026
Died: 08/21/2026
Place Died: Envive, Beech Grove, Indiana
Burial Info: Dale Cemetery, Conersville Family plot, 3 September 2026
Notes:
Criterion – 4 September 2026 By Sean Gallagher
Father Stephen Jarrell, a retired archdiocesan priest, died on Aug. 21 at Envive of Beech Grove in Beech Grove. He was 79. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Sept. 3 at Christ the King Church in Indianapolis. Archbishop Charles C. Thompson was the principal celebrant of the liturgy. Msgr. Anthony Volz, pastor of Christ the King Parish, was the homilist. Burial followed at Dale Cemetery in Connersville. Ordained in 1973, Father Jarrell was a principal leader in the implementation in the Church in central and southern Indiana of the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, serving as the director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship from its establishment in 1976 until 1993. In a 2023 interview with The Criterion on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination, Father Jarrell reflected on the role he played in forming Catholics across the archdiocese to understand and more fully participate in the Church’s revised worship. “It wasn’t about me or me having something great to give people,” Father Jarrell said. “There was always a sense of collaboration. My approach to pastoring and in teaching was to collaborate with others [in archdiocesan leadership] and also with
folks in the audience.” Retired Father Rick Ginther, who served as archdiocesan director of liturgy after Father Jarrel’s tenure in the Office of Worship ended in 1993, described him as “meticulous” and “disciplined” in his ministry of forming archdiocesan Catholics to more fully participate in the Church’s worship. “He did workshops for lectors, workshops for sacristans—all of the various ministries,” said Father Ginther. “He was trying to help them all come along at a time when we didn’t have a lot of guidance. It was all new. “He had a passion for helping people grasp it. He tried to help all of us have a better sense of what we were doing and why we were doing it this way.” Charlie Gardner collaborated with Father Jarrell for 17 years in this ministry. “He was very committed and excited to help implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council,” Gardner said. “It took quite a few years to make that come alive liturgically. “He was delightful to work with,” said Gardner. “He was such a gentleman, a good person.” Msgr. Anthony Volz was a teenager when he first met Father Jarrell in 1973 after Father Jarrell was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis. The two formed a lasting friendship. Msgr. Volz described him as “a genuine, holy man and a good priest.” He saw Father Jarrell’s holiness in the attention he gave to other people. “When you were talking with him, there were really no distractions,” Msgr. Volz said. “He genuinely wanted to hear what you had to say and was also
always willing to give his opinion. He was a very gentle person.” Health challenges marked the later part of Father Jarrell’s life. In 2007, he was severely injured in a car accident. During an extended period of recovery, his parishioners at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greencastle were dedicated in giving him the care he needed. “The shepherd of the flock was tended to by the sheep,” Father Jarrell recalled in his 2023 interview. “It was a role reversal. I was laid up for three-and-a-half months.” Later while serving at Christ the King, he began to lose strength and have balance problems due to neuropathy in his legs. Then the emergence of Huntington’s disease led him to reside at Envive of Beech Grove. The degenerative nerve disorder is a congenital condition which previously led to the death of Father Jarrell’s father. Msgr. Volz reflected on how his friend coped with the many health challenges he faced in his later years. “He had his ups and downs,” Msgr. Volz said. “He struggled. At the same time, he became accepting of it. I think it may have led him to an even deeper life of prayer than he already had. “He lived in the moment. When he felt good, he really enjoyed his time.” Stephen Taylor Jarrell was born on May 4, 1947, to Noel and Barbara (Wagner) Jarrell and grew up in Connersville as a member of St. Gabriel Parish. After graduating from the eighth grade of the faith community’s school, Father Jarrell became an archdiocesan seminarian at Saint Meinrad Seminary
and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, ultimately receiving 12 years of priestly formation there, earning a bachelor’s degree and a master’s of divinity degree. He later earned a master’s degree in theology (liturgy) at the University of Notre Dame in northern Indiana. Father Jarrell was ordained a priest on May 20, 1973, at St. Gabriel Church in Connersville by Archbishop George J. Biskup. His first pastoral assignment was as associate pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, where he served for three years. In 1976, Father Jarrell was appointed the first director of the archdiocese’s newly created Office of Worship. He led the office until 1993. During that period, Father Jarrell also ministered as a part-time associate pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish in Indianapolis from 1982-1993. In 1993, he was appointed the founding pastor of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood. From 2003-10, Father Jarrell ministered as pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish and chaplain at DePauw University, both in Greencastle. During that time, he also served for periods as pastor of Annunciation Parish in Brazil, the temporary administrator of Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Danville and chaplain at the Putnamville Correctional Facility in Putnamville. Beginning in 2010, Father Jarrell served as pastor of Christ the King. He continued in that ministry until he retired in 2017. Memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 3001 E. 30th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46218.
See Also: A Criterion article from 2010 concerning Fr. Jarrell’s recovery from an auto accident.
Fr. Stephen T. Jarrell, 79, died August 21, 2026. Born May 4, 1947, Fr. Steve is remembered with deep gratitude for a life of devoted priestly service, offered with thoughtful care and a selfless spirit. A beloved presence to many, Fr. Steve’s ministry was marked by steady faith, reverence, and an inspirational commitment to the people and communities entrusted to him.
Fr. Steve’s years of ministry reflected a consistent dedication to worship, pastoral care, and the daily work of building up the Church. At his first assignment in1973, Fr. Steve served as associate pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Indianapolis. In 1976, he became director of the Office of Worship. In 1978, Fr. Steve was assigned with residence at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Indianapolis. In 1982, he served as part-time associate pastor at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Indianapolis, while continuing as director of the Office of Worship, with residence at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Indianapolis.
In 1993, Fr. Steve became the founding pastor of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi, Greenwood, and in 1999 was reappointed pastor there. In 2003, Fr. Steve became pastor of St. Paul the Apostle, Greencastle; priest moderator at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, and St. Leonard of Port Maurice, West Terre Haute; and chaplain at DePauw University and Putnamville Correctional Facility. In 2005, Fr. Steve became pastor of Annunciation, Brazil while continuing all other ongoing pastoral duties. In 2010, Fr. Steve became pastor of Christ the King, Indianapolis. Through each assignment, Fr. Steve carried a quiet constancy—one that made others feel seen, supported, and strengthened.
Beyond parish and chaplaincy responsibilities, Fr. Steve found enjoyment in cycling, a simple pursuit that reflected the same steady perseverance that shaped so much of his life and service.
Fr. Steve was preceded in death by father, Noel W. Jarrell, Sr.; mother, Barbara (Wagner) Jarrell; brothers, Noel W. Jarrell, Jr. and Mark Jarrell; and infant sister, Cynthia Jarrell. Fr. Steve is survived by sister-in-law, Sandra Jarrell; niece, Charity Wray (John); great nephew, Matthew Jarrell and a host of grateful parishioners throughout ArchIndy.
Visitation will be held at Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary, 2126 East 71st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220, on September 2, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. A Vigil will follow at Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary on September 2, 2026, beginning at 6:30 pm. Visitation will also be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5884 Crittenden Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220, on September 3, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. A Committal Service will take place at Dale Cemetery, 801 N Gregg Rd, Connersville, IN 47331, on September 3, 2026, at 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 3001 E. 30th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46218.
“Until we meet again, may God hold Fr. Steve in the hollow of His hand…” 1
Born May 4, 1947 to the late Noel W. & Barbara (nee Wagner) Jarrell, Sr.
Ordained to Priesthood May 20,1973 and Entered into Eternal Peace on August 21, 2026. Visitation will be held at Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary, 2126 East 71st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220, on September 2, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. A Vigil will follow at Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary on September 2, 2026, beginning at 6:30 pm. Visitation will also be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5884 Crittenden Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220, on September 3, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. A Committal Service will take place at Dale Cemetery, 801 N Gregg Rd, Connersville, IN 47331, on September 3, 2026, at 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 3001 E. 30th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46218.
“Until we meet again, may God hold Fr. Steve in the hollow of His hand…” 2