Rev. Felipe Martinez

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Rev. Felipe Martinez, 80, of Perryville entered into eternal life Wednesday, March 24, 2010.

He was born in New Orleans, where he and his family attended St. Stephen's Parish. He was the son of Juan and Juanita Fernandez Martinez.

Survivors include two sisters, Carmen Moore of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., and Marisa Clark of Conway, Ark.

He entered the Vincentian novitiate in Perryville on May 18, 1948, and pronounced vows two years later. He was ordained a priest May 29, 1955.

During his many years as a priest, Martinez accepted a variety of assignments. He taught Latin and English at St. Mary's Seminary in Houston from 1955 through 1965. He then moved to St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Beaumont, Texas, where he served three years followed by two years of study at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

He also served at Cardinal Glennon College in St. Louis, and St. Vincent's College in Cape Girardeau, as well as St. John's Seminary in Kansas City, Kan.

Martinez began serving in parishes in 1983. His first parish assignment was at Immaculate Conception Church in Poteau, Okla. While that assignment was only for three years, Martinez served as pastor of Christ the Savior Parish in Brewer, Mo., 20 years from 1987 to 2007.

He spent the last three years of his life at Apostle of Charity residence in Perryville.

He will rest in state from 5 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Church of the Assumption at St. Mary's of the Barrens. A prayer service will be held at 7:30. Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. until time of service Saturday.

Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Mark Pranaitis officiating. Burial will be in Vincentian Community Cemetery.

Young and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are preferred to Congregation of the Mission Western Province.