Msgr. John Westhues

Monsignor John Henry Westhues, 85, passed away on January 18, 2008, in St. John's Hospital.

Monsignor was born June 19, 1922 in Jefferson City, Missouri to Henry and Helen Roer Westhues. He was a graduate of St. Peter's High School in Jefferson City. He attended St. Benedict's College, Cardinal Glennon College, and Kenrick Seminary. Monsignor was ordained a priest on April 4, 1948 by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The Archdiocese of St. Louis sent Monsignor Westhues to study in Rome where he received his degree in Canon Law. Monsignor Westhues was invited by Bishop Helmsing, the first Bishop of the new Diocese, to move to Springfield, Missouri when the Diocese of Springfield/Cape Girardeau was created in 1956.

Monsignor served at a wide variety of parishes over the nearly 60 years of his priesthood. He has ministered to the people of many parishes around southern Missouri including Sacred Heart, Poplar Bluff; St. Wenceslaus, Karlin; Holy Trinity, Marshfield; Sacred Heart and St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield; St. Mary's, Joplin; St. Augustine's, Kelso; St. Susanne's, Mount Vernon; St. Patrick's, Greenfield; and most recently served as Senior Priest in Service at St. Agnes Cathedral where he spent the last 9 1/2 years of his ministry to the people of God. Monsignor spent 25 of his 60 years of priesthood serving the people of St. Agnes Cathedral. Monsignor also served the Diocese he loved as Chancellor, Vicar General, Domestic Prelate, and Diocesan Consultor.

Monsignor was the Spiritual Director for many, many people over the course of his 60 years of priestly service. He deeply touched their hearts and lives with such great tenderness and love, improving their outlook on life and giving them consolation and courage in difficult times. He will be greatly missed by all of his family but most especially his sisters. Very few sisters have such a wonderful, lovable, compassionate brother as "Father Doc".

He is survived by his sisters, Marie Staub and her husband, Dr. Henry Staub, Sr. Joan Cordis (Marjorie) Westhues, Jane Schmidt and her husband, Paul, Elaine Roer Westhues, and Marilyn Evans, and her husband, Robert. Monsignor was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Helen Westhues and his sister, Rosemary Rieke. He is also survived by 27 nieces and nephews, 97 great nieces and nephews, many cousins and extended family.

Funeral Mass will be at 12:00 noon, Monday, January 21, 2008 (the Feast of St. Agnes) in St. Agnes Cathedral with Bishop John J. Leibrecht, principal celebrant, and the priests of the Diocese concelebrating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, at 12 p.m. Tuesday in Jefferson City, Missouri with Reverend Michael V. McDevitt and Monsignor Thomas E. Reidy, celebrants. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 East Walnut, Springfield.

Visitation will be 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday evening, January 20, 2008 at his beloved St. Agnes Cathedral with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., Monsignor Thomas E. Reidy, celebrant. Visitation will also take place on the day of the funeral from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Maryknoll Sisters, the tuition assistance fund of St. Agnes School, St. Benedict's College or Conception Seminary.