Rev. Ivo Edward Cecil attended Bethlehem Academy at Bardstown between 1932 and 1940 and St. Joe Prep. from 1940 to 1944. He dropped out of St. Joe Prep. in January of 1944 to enlist in the U.S. Navy. "They gave me a diploma, which I have always appreciated and I have always had the highest respect for the Xaverian Brothers," Rev. Cecil said. "I was blessed to be taught by them."

He enlisted in the Navy in World War II, earning two battle stars, and then came home to graduate from St. Mary's college in 1950 and St. Meinrad Seminary in 1954. He also studied at Spalding College in Louisville in 1975, attending night classes for two years, and then received a Master of Divinity Degree from St. Meinrad in 1978.

He served as pastor of Immaculate Conception at LaGrange from 1966 to 1976, pastor of St. Christopher in Radcliff from 1976 to 1983, and St. Augustine in Lebanon from 1983 to 1996. He also served as an assistant pastor in Louisville for 12 years.

He has been a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Knights of Columbus, and the Priests for Life. Rev. Cecil is currently retired, bus is a senior associate at St. Aloysius in Shepherdsville, St. Benedict in Lebanon Junction, and St. Clare in Colesburg.