Very Rev. G. Michael Gribble
Deceased: 2022-08-03
Diocese: COLUMBUS
ICTE Spring: 2003
The Very Reverend Father G. Michael Gribble, 79, of Thornville, died peacefully at Riverside Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, following a medical incident that he experienced one week prior. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio on February 7, 1943, to the late George and Catherine (Keane) Gribble, and was baptized at Blessed Sacrament Church (Newark) on February 28, 1943.
A 1961 graduate of Newark Catholic High School, Fr. Gribble earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English Education from The Ohio State University, 1969 and 1972, respectively. Having taught in the classroom for several years, Fr. Gribble acted on God’s calling him to the priesthood, and entered the seminary at the Catholic University of America, Theological College (Washington, D.C.), earning his Master of Divinity in 1981. He was ordained on May 16, 1981 at Saint Francis de Sales Church (Newark) by Bishop Edward Herrmann.
During his 40-plus years of dedicated service to Jesus Christ, His Church and His people, Fr. Gribble served as Associate Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish (New Philadelphia); Associate Pastor, Saint Mary Parish (Groveport) with teaching duties at Father Wehrle High School (Columbus); Pastor, Holy Rosary/Saint John Parish (Columbus); Pastor, Saint Edward the Confessor Parish, and Chaplain, Denison University (Granville); and Rector, Saint Joseph Cathedral (Columbus) until his retirement as Rector in 2013.
Fr. Gribble remained very active as a senior priest, celebrating Masses and assisting with pastoral ministry at a number of parishes and schools in Licking County and nearby. He was known simply and affectionally as “Fr. Mike”, and carried a booming voice that was unique and instantly recognizable in any crowd. A longtime resident of Buckeye Lake, Fr. Mike served as the fleet chaplain at the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club where he enjoyed the continual friendship of many people known throughout his life. Regardless on one’s religious affiliation, Fr. Mike was dedicated to his life’s ministry and served the religious and pastoral needs of the entire lake community and beyond, and was in many ways, everyone’s pastor.
Fr. Gribble very much enjoyed his family and cherished the time he spent with them traveling, enjoying a meal, or sharing a laugh. He will be greatly missed by all, but especially by his sisters, Susie K. Gribble and Rose M. (Greg) McEntire; aunt, Maryann Kane; and many special cousins, friends, and parishioners.
The family would like to give their sincere appreciation to the staff at Riverside Hospital for the care given to Fr. Gribble, and to them as well, this past week.
Father Gribble’s body will be received at St. Francis de Sales Church, 40 Granville Street, Newark, 5 P.M., Monday August, 8, 2022. Calling hours will follow and conclude with a Rosary at 7:30 P.M. Calling hours will resume at the Church on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, beginning at 2 P.M. and continuing until just prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 5 P.M. The Mass will be live-streamed on the St. Francis YouTube site: https://www.youtube.com/c/StFrancisdeSalesNewarkOH. The Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes, Bishop of Columbus, will celebrate the Mass; concelebrants will include Bishop James A. Griffin, Bishop Frederick F. Campbell, and priests in and of the Diocese of Columbus; homily will be delivered by Father Ed Keck. Burial will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery, Newark, 10 A.M., Wednesday, August 10, 2022, with Fr. Anthony Lonzo as presider.
For those attending calling, please park in the lot behind the church and enter through the back doors of the St. Francis Lamy Center. You will then proceed into the main body of church via the adjoining hallway. Handicap parking will be available by each of the ramp entrances.
In lieu of flowers, Father Gribble requested that donations be made to the SPICE Program, c/o the Newark Catholic High School Foundation, 1 Green Wave Drive, Newark, OH 43055; or the Watkins Island Foundation, PO Box 1432, Buckeye Lake, OH 43008, (a 501c3 established to provide funds for the betterment of Buckeye Lake)
