Burlington, Vermont - Reverend Monsignor Wendell H. Searles, age 89, died on October 20, 2018. Monsignor Searles was born on February 13, 1929 in Alburg, Vermont, the son of Carroll and Helen (Surprise) Searles. Monsignor Searles was a graduate of Alburg Grammar and High School, St. Michaels College and St. Johns Seminary, Brighton, MA. He was ordained to the priesthood on January 18, 1955 by Bishop Edward F. Ryan. His priestly ministry began as Parochial Vicar at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Burlington (1955). He was appointed Assistant Principal at Cathedral High School, April 17, 1956 and studied at Columbia University summer school in 1958. From June 23, 1960 to July 15, 1966 he was Principal at Mount Saint Joseph in Rutland. He was then appointed Principal at Rice Memorial High School, South Burlington from July 15, 1966 to July 1, 1975. Monsignor Searles was appointed Parochial Vicar at Holy Cross, Colchester from June 29, 1977 to June 25, 1980 and Pastor at Holy Cross from June 25, 1980 until June 19, 1984. He was Pastor of St. Augustine, Montpelier from June 20, 1984 until June 28, 1995. Monsignor Searles diocesan responsibilities included President of the Priests Senate and consultor of the Diocese, January 26, 1973, Director of Religious Education from July 1, 1975 until June 25, 1980, and Special Ministry - Diocesan Director of Pastoral Planning from June 28, 1995 until March 28, 2003. He served on the Diocesan Administrative Board, Personnel Committee, Presbyteral Council, Board of Consultors, and was appointed Episcopal Vicar for Education, Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Office of Safe Environment. Monsignor Searles served as Vicar General from September 26, 1998 until July 5, 2006 and was granted Senior Priest status on July 5, 2006. He subsequently served as Chaplain for the Sisters of Mercy, Administrator of St. Stephen Parish, Winooski, and Chaplain at St. Joseph Home in Burlington. He was appointed a Protonotary Apostolic with the title Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI in October of 2005. He was predeceased by his parents and his three sisters, Glennis, Elaine and Connie. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at St. John Vianney Church, South Burlington at 11:00 AM. with Bishop Christopher J. Coyne as principal celebrant. Calling hours will be Wednesday, October 24, 2018, from 4-7 PM at St. John Vinney Church, and from 10:00 to 10:45 AM Thursday morning. Burial will take place at Resurrection Park Cemetery after the Mass. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd. Burlington. To place on-line condolences please visit www.readyfuneral.com In lieu of flowers please consider giving to the Msgr. Searles Scholarship c/o Rice High School 99 Proctor Ave. South Burlington, VT 05403 or to Mount St. Joseph Academy 127 Convent Ave Rutland, VT 05701.