Rev. Jerome Fortenberry

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Rev. Jerome D. Fortenberry C.M., 90, of Perryville died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, at St. Mary's of the Barrens in Perryville.

He was born Aug. 9, 1926, in Bismark, North Dakota, son of John Foxworth and Blanche Rose Schmitz Fortenberry.

He was a Vincentian Roman Catholic priest for 61 years. He entered the Novitiate at St. Mary's of the Barrens in Perryville on Oct. 6, 1947, and professed vows there Oct. 7, 1949. He was ordained priest at St. Mary's of the Barrens in Perryville by Bishop Leo C. Byrne on May 29, 1955. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

Survivors include two sisters, Dorothy Smoloski of Middleton, Connecticut, and Elizabeth McGahren of Gulf Shores, Alabama.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers and two sisters, John W. Fortenberry, Virginia Fortenberry, Mary Drozd, Louis Fortenberry and Dr. Robert Fortenberry.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and from 9 a.m. until time of service Wednesday at the Church of the Assumption at St. Mary's of the Barrens in Perryville.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church, officiated by the provincial of the Western Province the Rev. Ray VanDorpe C.M. Burial will be in Vincentian Community Cemetery, with military graveside honors provided by American Legion Post 133 and U.S. Naval Team.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation of the Mission.

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

Young and Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Perryville provided the arrangements.