In 1999, Father Michael Reis and Frank Luciotti began the process of initiating a Knights of Columbus Council for St. Leonard Catholic Church and Parish, Heath, Ohio. Due to their combined efforts on January 26, 2000, Knights of Columbus Council 12641 was granted its charter and established.
On February 2, 2025, St. Leonard Catholic Church was closed and merged with St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church, Newark, Ohio.
On July 22, 2025, St. Leonard Knights of Columbus Council 12641 merged with St. Francis DeSales Knights of Columbus, Father Bill Johnson Council 11665.
Through its twenty five (25) years of service, Council 12641 lived the Knights of Columbus values of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism as a “small but mighty” Council whose members served the church and the community through continuous acts of service and support.
Through its charitable activities and volunteerism, Council 12641 provided or facilitated tens of thousands of dollars in aid to the most vulnerable in our community, to St. Leonard Parish causes and in supporting Knights of Columbus Charities.
The Council performed well in Knights of Columbus Awards Programs and Campaign receiving the prestigious Star Council Award in 2007-2008. Another highlight award was the Knights of Columbus Clergy of the Year Award Columbus Diocese provided to Brother Deacon Larry Wilson in 2023. Council 12641 was continuously recognized for its financial and administrative reporting excellence.
In lieu of financial aid, Council 12641 members often provided the support and “sweat equity” in the various efforts in the repair, installation/minor construction and beautification efforts of St. Leonard Church and Rectory and various other Catholic facility needs in Licking County. Over the 25 years, a Council 12641 member involved in every St. Leonard Church ministry that was not gender restricted.
Council 12641 performed many church related and Knight of Columbus volunteer activities and programs to include the following:
- Lenten Fish Bake (22 years)
- Coats for Kids (7 years)
- Food for Families/Operation Feed (5 years0
- Church and Catholic Education Auction (14 years)
- Golf Outing (9 years)
- Parish Picnics
- Church Breakfasts
- Spaghetti Dinners
- Measure Up Campaign (25 years)
- Knight of Columbus Squires Program
- Super Cash Bonanza Campaigns
- Football Crazr Campaigns
Throughout its 25 years the Council continued a steady membership starting with 39 members culminating in 51 members in 2012 with the final membership count in June 2025 consisted of 40 members.
Combining with Father Bill Johnson Council 11665, Council 12641 members will continue its lasting legacy and throughout the Licking County Catholic Community for years to come.
Council 12641 Charter was granted and established on January 26, 2000 with thirty nine (39) members listed below.
| Rev Michael J Reis | Edward J. Cicale | Mark D. Guthrie | Ronald Kluisza | Roger W. Richter |
| Nello Allori | Steven M. Connor | Frederick D. Gutridge | Glenn E. Libby | Frederick O. Roe |
| Gene R. Bailey | Michael E. Demchak | Lawrence F. Henry | Francis M. Luciotti | John E. Sheets |
| John K. Balser | Nicholas A. Gebhart | Thomas M. Herr | John W. Mitchell | Charles E. Skidmore Jr. |
| Donald G. Brodsky | Richard G. Gebhart | Roger O. Hull | Michael E. Padgett | Richard G. Snoor |
| Mathew C. Brodsky | William J. Gress | Ronald N. Jones | Donald G. Partyka | Mark L. Wachter |
| Albert E. Cain | William R. Gress | Charles A. Kelly | Patrick J. Purcell | George H. Wilson |
| James C. Campolo | Lee O. Gunnels | Timothy J. Kinney | Andrew R. Richmer |
Council 12641 Past Grand Knights 2000-2025:
| Frank Luciotti | 2000-2001 |
| Pat Purcell | 2001-2002 |
| Ron Kluisza | 2002-2003 |
| Mike Demchak | 2003-2005 |
| Walter Knox | 2005-2007 |
| Jack Rotruck | 2007-2009 |
| Fred Brandon | 2009-2011 |
| Steve Connor | 2011-2013 |
| Ron Jones | 2013-2015 |
| Al Smith | 2015-2017 |
| Don Hobbs | 2017-2019 |
| Sonny Delmatto | 2019-2020 |
| Larry Mikeworth | 2020-2021 |
| Bill Gress | 2021-2023 |
| Glenn Wirth | 2023-2025 |
The Honor Roll of Knights of the Knights of Columbus Council 12641.
We salute those Knights of Council 12641 who have gone to their Maker knowing the world is a better place for their having been a part of it.
| Charles Skidmore | April 1, 2001 |
| Lawrence Henry | July 15, 2003 |
| Don Brodsky | June 30, 2005 |
| Charles Kelly | November 1, 2005 |
| Frederick Gutridge | December 21, 2005 |
| Mickael Demchak | December 27, 2005 |
| Don Partyka | February 28, 2007 |
| Leo Gartner | July 11, 2007 |
| James Collins | December 15, 2009 |
| John Mitchell | November 27, 2010 |
| Lou Vaca | April 1, 2011 |
| Gene Bailey | January 12, 2012 |
| George Wilson | October 6, 2013 |
| Lawrence Kellenbarger | January25, 2014 |
| Randy Sherrard | February 19, 2014 |
| Lee Gunnels | March 3, 2014 |
| Victor Pelletier | October 28, 2014 |
| Rodger Hull | January 15, 2015 |
| Jack Rotruck | April 15, 2015 |
| Ed Cicale | January 17, 2017 |
| Tim Kinney | May 31, 2018 |
| Walter Knox | December 25, 2018 |
| Roger Richter | June 16, 2019 |
| Father Michael Reis | February 14, 2020 |
| Robert Rager | May 28, 2020 |
| Frank Luciotti – | September 1, 2020 |
| Steven Connor | April 7, 2023 |
| Thomas Herr | August 8, 2023 |
| Patrick Purcell | April 8, 2024 |
| Gary Grigsby – | July 9, 2024 |
Significant Council Awards:
| Father McGivney Award – Membership | 1990-2000 |
| Father McGivney Award – Membership | 2000 -2001 |
| Columbian Award – Service Programs | 2001-2002 |
| Columbian Award – Service Programs | 2004-2005 |
| Father McGivney Award – Membership | 2006-2007 |
| Star Council Award – Quinton H. (Jack) Rotruck, Grand Knight | 2007-2008 |
| Columbian Award – Service Programs | 2008-2009 |
| Columbian Award – Service Programs | 2010-2011- |
| Founders Award – Insurance | 2011-2012 |
