March 4, 2025 // Obituaries

Father Barry England, 82, Dies

Todays Catholic

Father Barry C. England, 82, passed away on Monday, February 24, in his home.

Father England was born in White Plains, New York, to William and Anne O’Keefe England on August 9, 1942. His father preceded him in death on May 3, 1979, and his mother on February 3, 2005.

Father England was a priest serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. He attended St. John the Baptist School in Fort Wayne and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Norwood, Ohio, where he received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s of divinity.

Father England was ordained on May 25, 1968, by Bishop Romeo Blanchette in Joliet, Illinois, in the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus.

His first assignment was as an associate pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntington. He later served as an associate pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Fort Wayne. He also served as pastor to the parishes of St. Joseph in Roanoke, St. Catherine of Alexandria in Columbia City, Queen of Angels in Fort Wayne, St. Anthony de Padua in South Bend, and St. Bavo in Mishawaka.

In addition to his ministry as a parish priest, Father England served on the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, as chairman of the Priest’s Personnel Board, and as a judge in the Marriage Tribunal. While in the Fort Wayne area, he served on the Allen County United Way Allocations Committee, the Allen County United Way Board of Directors, the Bishop Dwenger High School Board of Education. He also served as chaplain of Knights of Columbus Council 1878 in Mishawaka.

Father England was an avid golfer and a devoted fan and season ticket holder to Notre Dame women’s basketball. He loved attending Notre Dame football games.

He is survived by two brothers, Joseph England from Hudson, Ohio, and Peter (Alison) England, from Beaufort, South Carolina, and two sisters, Julie (Daniel) Borschke, from St. Augustine, Florida, and Virginia England, from Chicago. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews.

His last words to a family member the night before he died – and the last words in many of his conversations – were, “Go Irish!”

Visitation was scheduled for Thursday, March 6, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., with a time of sharing and remembrance at 6:30 p.m. and a Rosary at 7 p.m., at St. Bavo Catholic Church, 511 W. 7th Street, Mishawaka. A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled to be held on Friday, March 7, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, at St. Bavo Catholic Church in Mishawaka, with Bishop Rhoades officiating. Burial was scheduled to be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Huntington at 2:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Bavo Church or Center for the Homeless, 813 S. Michigan St., South Bend, Indiana, 46601.

Hahn Funeral Home in Mishawaka has been entrusted with handling the final arrangements. To watch a livestream, leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit hahnfuneralhomes.com.

This obituary was first published by the South Bend Tribune.