Fr. Michael Chowning, OFM, 84, passes away in Cincinnati, Ohio

Fr. Michael Chowning, OFM, 84, passed away May 21, 2025, at University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, due to complications from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Fr. Mike was known for his patience, humility, gentle nature and his great love for the parishioners and people of Eastern Kentucky, where he was a longtime pastor. He was also an avid amateur radio operator and enjoyed fly fishing.  

Visitation for Fr. Mike will be held Saturday, May 31, at 9 a.m. at St. Clement Church, 4536 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Committal will immediately follow in the mausoleum at St. Mary Cemetery, 701 E. Ross Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45217.  

A Detroit native, Fr. Mike was born on Aug. 15, 1940, to John and Mary (née Murphy) Chowning. He attended Catholic elementary and secondary schools in Royal Oak, Michigan and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He entered St. Francis Seminary in Cincinnati in 1958, and attended Duns Scotus College in Southfield, Michigan. Fr. Mike received his theological training at St. Leonard College in Centerville, Ohio, and earned a master’s degree in religious studies from the University of Detroit.  

He was received into the Franciscan Order on Aug. 15, 1960, at St. Anthony Shrine in Cincinnati, professing his first vows there on Aug. 16, 1961. Fr. Mike was solemnly professed on Aug. 16, 1964, at Duns Scotus College. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 8, 1968, at St. Leonard College.  

Fr. Mike’s first assignment as a newly ordained priest was as a religion teacher at Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he served from 1968 to 1970. From there, Fr. Mike spent a year studying at Duns Scotus College, before returning to Bishop Luers to teach and serve as academic administrator until 1979. In addition, he served as a field education supervisor for young friars gaining experience at the school.  

From 1979 to 1981, Fr. Mike ministered as associate pastor at St. George Parish and Newman Center in Cincinnati, followed by a year as associate pastor at Holy Family Parish in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He went on to serve as co-pastor at St. Boniface Parish in Peoria, Illinois, from 1982 to 1986, before returning to Cincinnati to minister as guardian and assistant novice director at St. Anthony Shrine. Fr. Mike then returned to St. George Parish and Newman Center as guardian and pastor from 1987 to 1991.  

Fr. Mike served one term on Provincial Council for the legacy St. John the Baptist Province from 1990 to 1993. During the same time frame, he spent a year as guardian and director of postulants at St. Ann Friary in Cincinnati, followed by a year as pastor of St. Michael Parish in Southfield, Michigan.  

From 1993 to 2016, Fr. Mike served as pastor at Our Mother of Good Counsel in Hazard, Kentucky, in addition to engaging in sacramental and pastoral ministry at other parishes in Eastern Kentucky. Between 1997 and 2012, Fr. Mike served several terms on the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Lexington and the College of Consultors. Fr. Mike cared deeply for the people of Eastern Kentucky and upon moving to a new assignment, maintained close ties in the region. He facilitated support for the Housing Development Alliance and Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky to assist with relief efforts in the area, which has been prone to flooding. 

In 2016, Fr. Mike moved to Oldenburg, Indiana, where he was in residence at Holy Family Parish and Friary. He had recently moved to St. Clement Friary in Cincinnati due to health issues.  

Fr. Mike is survived by family members, including his cousin Fr. Al Hirt, OFM, friends and his brother friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.