Rev. John Sheley

Father John William A. Sheley, 60, died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, during a trip to Hawaii.

He was born Sept. 12, 1946, in Jefferson City, Mo., the only child of W.C. and Lucille Renn Sheley.

Sheley attended Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Helias High School, Jefferson City, in May 1964. He entered Conception Seminary College where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in May 1968. He made his theology studies at Conception Seminary and Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, and received a master of divinity degree from Notre Dame in May 1986.

A member of the Benedictine community since 1969, Sheley made his solemn vows as a monk Aug. 15, 1973. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Helmsing Aug. 17, 1973, in the Abbey Basilica and served during the following years in several assignments as a Benedictine priest.

With the concurrence of the Abbot of Conception Abbey, Sheley was incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau May 13, 1998. He served as a pastor in that diocese at St. Joseph Parish in Springfield and Sacred Heart in Dexter, Mo. On Aug. 13, 2003, Sheley was given a leave for health reasons and returned to his hometown of Jefferson City.

A Mass of resurrection, celebrated by Bishop John Leibrecht, will take place at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Springfield.

Visitation at St. Joseph's is that same morning from 9:30 until 11 a.m.

A second Mass of resurrection will be offered at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Church, Jefferson City, where Sheley had been living the past several years.

A prayer service and visitation is scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception. Burial will be at a later date in Resurrection Cemetery in Jefferson City.

Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at www.hhlohmeyer.com.