Reverend John R. Hindman

Reverend John R. Hindman, 78, of Hermitage, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Father John was born on September 7, 1947, in Brookville, PA, a son of the late Jack R. and Audrey M. (Beers) Hindman. As a young child, he attended schools at Immaculate Conception School in Clarion, PA, and Holy Family School in Poland, OH. Moving to California in the early 1960s, the Hindman Family headed west, and John attended Azusa High School in Azusa, CA, and later graduated from Damien High School in La Verne, CA, under the spiritual guidance of the Fathers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

He received his calling to pursue the priesthood and studied at St. John’s Seminary College in Camarillo, CA, from 1965 to 1969. He attended St. John’s Major Seminary in Camarillo, CA, from 1969 to 1973. On June 21, 1975, he was ordained by Cardinal Timothy Manning and entered religious life by taking the evangelical vows for the Society of the Precious Blood, Province of the Pacific; he was ordained at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Irwindale, CA.

Father John served in a wide variety of educational and pastoral roles in his 51 dedicated years of priestly ministry and service. As a newly ordained priest of the Society of the Precious Blood, he served on the faculty of Cardinal Newman High School in the Diocese of Santa Rosa from 1973 to 1978. Later, he would serve as Associate Pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Manteca, California (1978 to 1980). From 1980 to 1981, he served on the faculty of St. Bernard High School in Eureka, CA. He also served as Associate Pastor of the parishes of St. Edward, Newark, CA; St. Joseph, Cotati, CA; and St. James, Petaluma, CA from 1981 to 1987.

In 1987, Fr. John returned to Pennsylvania to help care for his family. While in Pennsylvania, Fr. John served the Diocese of Erie as a Parochial Vicar at Notre Dame Parish, Hermitage, until his return to California in 1989.

Hearing of the growth of the Catholic faith in Southern California, Father John offered his dedicated service to the faithful of the newly formed Diocese of San Bernardino and was accepted as a candidate for incardination to the diocese by Most Reverend Phillip F. Straling, founding Bishop, on June 1, 1989. His first assignment in his new diocese was at St. George Parish, Ontario, where he served as Associate Pastor from 1989 to 1991. He would successfully fulfill the requirements of the Diocese of San Bernardino and was incardinated as a diocesan priest by Bishop Straling on November 1, 1992. Father John served as Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Barstow, CA, and Moderator at St. Philip Nerie Parish, Lenwood, CA from 1991 to 1994. From 1994 to 1995, he served as Administrator at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Rialto, CA and from 1995 to 1998 as Administrator of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Crestline, CA.

Between 1998 and 2000, Father John was Pastor at Christ the Redeemer Parish, Grand Terrace, CA, and Pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Big Bear City, CA from 2000 to 2001.

Father John would go on to serve the Diocese of San Bernadino as Priest Minister at St. Patrick Parish, Moreno Valley, CA (2004 to 2006); Interim Administrator at Sacred Heart Parish, Anza, CA (2006); and Parochial Vicar at St. Theresa Parish, Palm Springs, CA. (2007 to 2008).

Father John was granted retirement status as a Senior Priest of the Diocese of San Bernadino on October 1, 2012. In his retirement years, he would serve as a chaplain of the Apostleship of the Seas and faithfully supported his fellow brother retired priests by visiting them and offering his spiritual guidance and counsel.

He later relocated to Hermitage, PA, where he served the faithful in the Shenango Valley until his death.

A lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, Father John was a 3rd Degree member of Our Lady of the Valley Council 4003 and a 4th Degree member of Sharon Assembly 960.

He enjoyed playing golf, and while living in wine country in California, he looked forward to a nice glass of wine, especially with his good friend, Father Frank DiCristina.

Father John is survived by two brothers, David S. Hindman, Azusa, CA, and Harry A. Hindman (Dawn), Dayton, NV; a sister, Susan C. Wilbur-Mullis (Paul), Glendora, CA; three nieces, Autumn Szarzynski (Steve), Audrey Hindman-Upton, and Demi Hindman; two nephews, Brian Wilbur (Amanda) and Patrick Hindman (Caleah); four great-nieces, Kaylie, Irie, Gracie, and Anica; and five great-nephews, Cohen, Chase, Jack, Westyn, and Coltyn.

In addition to his parents, Father John was preceded in death by a nephew, Christopher R. Hindman.

Visitation will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, in St. Anthony Church, 804 Idaho St., Sharon, PA 16146. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 PM, following the visitation, with the Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, Bishop of Erie, as the main celebrant.

Interment: Hindman Family Cemetery, Reidsburg, PA.