Rev. Thomas J. Reilman

Father Thomas Reilman, devoted servant of Christ and priest of the Diocese of Davenport, entered into eternal rest on August 3, 2025. He was 97.

Thomas Joseph Reilman was born May 21,1928 to Fredrick and Helen Reilman in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He began his journey of faith at St. Jude School before moving to Davenport, Iowa, where he attended St. Ambrose Academy. He graduated from St. Ambrose College in 1950 and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Following college, he worked in the Quad Cities for International Harvester and John Deere as a chemist. He studied at St. Ambrose and Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque before being ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1961, at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Fr. Reilman’s priestly ministry began in education, serving on the faculty of St. Ambrose College (1961–1966), then Assumption High School (1966–1967) in Davenport. His first parish assignment came in 1967 as assistant pastor of the former St. Boniface Parish in Clinton. From there, he faithfully served in a series of parishes across the Diocese: as administrator and later pastor of St. Mary Parish in Dodgeville /Kingston (1970–1981), pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Lost Nation (1981–1983), and pastor of St. Mary Parish in Wilton (1983–1991) and chaplain St Francis Nursing Home Burlington. He lived his final years in Dubuque. His life achievements all accomplished while overcoming severe hearing loss since childhood.

Fr. Reilman never lost his childlike excitement for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and lived in joyful anticipation of the day he would meet the Lord, his maker, face to face. Throughout his ministry, Fr. Reilman had a special devotion to the Holy Spirit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Margaret Ufheil (Louisville, Kentucky) and Helen Nix (Davenport), brother Robert Reilman (Atlanta, Georgia), aunt Edith Steel and cousins Jim and Bill Steel.

He leaves behind many nephews and nieces, grateful parishioners, brother priests, and friends in Christ. May he be welcomed with joy into the arms of our Heavenly Father.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Father Reilman will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 916 E. Rusholme Street, Davenport. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be held from 9 until 10 a.m. on Tuesday in the gathering space at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Diocese of Davenport Seminarians. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.