Rev. Ralph Duffner

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- The Rev. Ralph J. Duffner, 83, of Chaffee died Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at Jackson Manor in Jackson.

He was born Aug. 4, 1930, in St. Louis, son of Ralph Joseph and Agnes Anna Stuesse Duffner.

Duffner was ordained a priest March 17, 1956, in St. Louis Cathedral for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. His first assignment was as assistant pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Church in Cape Girardeau, which became the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation when the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau was formed later that same year.

Other Missouri pastoral assignments included pastor of St. Susanne Parish in Mount Vernon, St. Ann Parish in Malden, St. Mary Mission in Campbell, Sacred Heart in Poplar Bluff, St. Lawrence Parish in New Hamburg and St. Ambrose Parish in Chaffee.

A few of Duffner's many other appointments included serving as chaplain for the Missouri State Sanatorium in Mount Vernon, St. John's Hospital in Springfield; Missouri Chest Hospital in Mount Vernon; and Veterans Hospital in Poplar Bluff. He was also assistant director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, assistant director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, and then-Bishop William Baum's representative for Health and Hospitals in 1970.

Although Duffner officially retired Aug. 15, 2000, he continued to serve as parochial administrator of St. Ambrose Parish in Chaffee until 2010. After his assignment at St. Ambrose, he continued sacramental assistance in area parishes and hospitals when needed.

Survivors include a sister, Margaret J. Scheiner; two nephews, Gregory G. Scheiner (wife Ellen), Jeffrey C. Scheiner (wife Nancy); a niece, Mary E. Moran; two great-nieces, Nicole M. Scheiner and Stacie P. Scheiner; and three great-nephews, Erik O. Scheiner, Mark J. Scheiner and Adam G. Scheiner.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Vespers will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 418 S. Third St. in Chaffee, followed by visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Parish prayers will be at 8 p.m.

The Mass of Resurrection will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in St. Ambrose Cemetery.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to Gregory Scheiner, in care of State Farm Insurance, 9159 S. Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL 60455.

Online condolences may be made at amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.