Rev. Alphonse Hoernig

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Rev. Alphonse X. Hoernig C.M. entered into eternal life Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the Apostle of Charity Residence. He was 88 years of age.

Father Alphonse was born in Zell, Missouri, just a few miles from the Vincentian motherhouse in Perryville, to August and Anna Greuel Hoernig on April 17, 1928.

After his elementary education at St. Maurus School in Biehle, Missouri, and then two years at St. Vincent High School in Perryville, he went to St. Vincent's College in Cape Girardeau in 1945. He entered the novitiate May 18, 1947, and took his vows May 19, 1949. He completed his philosophy and theology courses at St. Mary's of the Barrens in Perryville and was ordained to the priesthood May 27, 1956.

Representative of the Vincentians of that era, Father Alphonse began his ministry in 1956 by teaching.

He was assigned to the faculty of St. John's Seminary in San Antonio, the minor seminary for the archdiocese. Until 1979, he was on the faculty of various minor seminaries in Tucson, Arizona; San Fernando, California; and Cape Girardeau, his alma mater. From 1952 until 1957, he did graduate work during the summers at Saint Louis University in the classics. Latin was his major concentration, and Greek was his minor. He received his master's degree in 1957.

After many years of teaching and administration in seminaries, in 1979, he was appointed superior of the Evangelization Center (the former St. Vincent's College) at Cape Girardeau and then later superior of St. Mary's of the Barrens in Perryville. During these years, he became very involved with the Cursillo movement, and he gave wonderful support to Cursillo on many weekend retreats.

Survivors include a brother, Leonard Hoernig of St. Louis; a sister-in-law, Doris Hoernig of Affton, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews and extended family in the Perryville area.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Francis, William and Paul Hoernig; and four sisters, Dorothea Hoernig Schumer, Christina Hoernig, Anna Hoernig Macke and Bernadina Hoernig.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Church of the Assumption in Perryville, with wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue from 6:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Church of the Assumption, with the Rev. Ray Van Dorpe C.M., Provincial of the Western Province, officiating. Burial will be in the Vincentian Community Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the Congregation of the Missions.

Young and Sons Funeral Home in Perryville provided the arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.youngandsonsfuneral.com.