Fr. Joseph Menker, OMI

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Rev. Joseph O. Menker, OMI, 93, died on September 25, 2019, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL.

Fr. Menker was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Bernard and Lillian (Ludmilla Reznicek) Menker on July 3, 1926. In 1941, after his primary education, he attended St. Francis de Sales High School in St. Louis, and in 1943, he began his journey toward the priesthood and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate at St. Henry’s Preparatory Seminary in Belleville, IL. In 1947, he entered the Oblate Novitiate in Godfrey, IL, and a year later, he pronounced his first vows as an Oblate. It was at St. Joseph Scholasticate in Ottawa, ONT, Canada, that he completed his studies of philosophy and theology in preparation for his ordination to the priesthood on May 26, 1953, at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belleville.

His first assignment as a priest was at St. Henry’s Seminary in Belleville where he not only taught history but was also the choir director. From 1963 until 1984, he served as pastor in several parishes in Northern Minnesota and South Dakota. In 1985, he began six years of service as a chaplain at Ramsey Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Upon his retirement, he continued to live in St. Paul until moving in 2011 to the Esquiline (Apartment Community) at the National Shrine Our Lady of the Snows.

He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his brothers Bernard, Edward, Leo and John, and his sister, Lillian Schaeffer.

He is survived by ten nieces and nephews, several cousins, and many friends and former parishioners. Fr. Menker is also survived by his Oblate Family, some 3700 Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate serving in 60 countries.

In lieu of flowers, donations for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may pay their respects from 10:00 until 11:15 a.m. on Monday, September 30, 2019, at the Chapel of the Esquiline (Apartment Community) at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine, Belleville, IL.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, September 30, 2019, at the Chapel of The Esquiline.

Burial will be at the St. Henry Oblate Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

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2 Comments on Fr. Joseph Menker, OMI

Community of Christ the Redeemer said : Guest Report Jan 17, 2020 at 1:45 AM

Please know of our deepest prayerful sympathy on the passing of FR JOE MENKER, OMI. Fr Joe periodically said Mass for our Christ the Redeemer Youth Parish in St Paul which many of us attended. His passing has been announced here, and we are celebrating two Masses in Fr Joe's honor here, as well as having two Masses read at his childhood parish, St John Nepomuk in St Louis, MO. May God Grant Fr Joe eternal rest in the company of the Saints...and be,assured of our prayers for him! Sincerely, Gordy desMarais Christ the Redeemer Youth Catholic Community St Paul, Minnesota

  • St Paul
  • MN
Linda Kaspar said : Guest Report Sep 30, 2019 at 8:53 PM

Our dear sweet soft spoken Father Joe... Would let all of his family and friends know..... Just how much he loved and cared for all of us..in the many things that he would do.. Writing his annual letter, taking time and travel to officiate our Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, and keeping all of us in his daily prayers... And taking special interest in our spiritual and daily lives, too! Just to name a few. Dedicated his life to the church, students, parishioners, patients and Oblate family, too We are so very thankful and blessed for all the 93 years, that we had you! God Bless you Sent from my iPhone Sent from my iPhone

  • Collinsville
  • Illinois

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