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The Rev. Monsignor Harold N. Biller

Jan. 9, 1939 - Oct. 31, 2018

Biller

The Rev. Monsignor Harold N. Biller, 79, died Wednes­day at Garvey Manor Nurs­ing Home, Hollidaysburg.

He was born in Cresson, son of the late Norman J. and Romayne C. (Zerbee) Biller.

Surviving are his brother, Gary Biller (Barbara Ann Leach) of North Olmstead, Ohio; a sister, Norma (Kenneth) Farabaugh of Carrolltown; a sister-in-law, Faye (Schenk) Biller of Cresson; nine nieces and nephews: Christine, Tom and Jenny, Annette, Jeff, Pam and Mark and Brian and Janelle; and 11 great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Wayne C. Biller; and a nephew, Kenneth Harold Farabaugh.

Monsignor Biller was a graduate of Cresson High School, St. Francis College and Our Lady of Loretto Seminary. He was ordained on May 16, 1970, by the Most Rev. James J. Hogan at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona. He was employed by the Department of Public Welfare of Cambria County, prior to and after his military service in the U.S. Army in the Infantry as a medic. He attended the Institute of Ecumenism — Centro Pro Unione — in Rome, Italy. He was made monsignor on March 19, 2001.

Monsignor Biller’s assignments included St. John Gualbert in Johnstown, Our Mother of Sorrows in Johns­town, St. Agnes in Lock Haven, St. Peter’s in Somer­set, with mission churches of St. Michael in Listie, St. Joseph in Boswell and St. Gregory in MacDona­ldton. He began his pastorate at Holy Family Church in Hooversville on Oct. 1, 1983, where he remained until June 29, 1995, when he was transferred to St. Patrick’s in Johnstown until his retirement in July 2009.

He also served as Diocesan Ecumenical Minister from January 1989 to July 2009. Among his most recognized accomplishments was the celebration of the mortgage payoff, 30 years ahead of schedule, at Holy Family Church and the development of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel that he started at St. Patrick’s in March 1999 and remains today. Monsignor Biller had a devout adoration for the Holy Eucharist and a special devotion to Our Blessed Mother and St. Therese of the Child Jesus, as well as a special fondness for the Carmelite Nuns of Loretto.

He loved traveling the world with family and friends, which included studying 16 summers in Italy, and travels to Germany, England, Ireland and France. His favorite place was Rome and was honored to personally shake the hand of (Saint) Pope John Paul II. His talents and hobbies were many, including painting ceramics and Japanese Bunka (Punch) Embroidery; cooking and baking; and watching football games. He loved to see people happy and enjoying themselves. He understood human nature and loved life. His terrific sense of humor and his contagious, bubbly enthusiasm always enlivened any gathering. Practical jokes were a specialty and he enjoyed pulling them on friends and family alike. Easter and Christmas celebrations were his favorite times of year. Monsignor Biller was truly “One of a Kind.”

Friends will be received from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, and from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, at St. Aloysius Church, Cresson. A Reception of Body will be at held 1 p.m. and a Vigil will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday at the church. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Monday at the church. Committal will follow at St. Aloysius Ceme­tery. Arrangements are by Kennedy-Anderson Funer­al Home & Crema­tion Services, Cresson.

Memorial donations in Monsignor Harold Biller’s name may be made to Carmelite Monastery, P.O. Box 57, 2101 Manor Drive, Loretto, PA 15940.

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