Rev. Francis Maher

Rev. Francis M. Maher

"Father Frank"

Age 86, of Colorado Springs and formerly of Wilmington, passed away on May 24, 2014 at the Mount Saint Francis Care Center in Colorado Springs. Fr. Maher was a priest in the Roman Catholic Church for more than 60 years.

Francis Martin Maher was born on October 10, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Martin and Margaret Monahan Maher. He attended grade school and high school at St. Mel in Illinois and attended the Quigley Seminary in Chicago and St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois. His final seminary studies were at St. Mary's in Baltimore, Maryland.

He was ordained on May 1, 1954 at the Cathedral in Joliet, Illinois by Bishop Martin McNamara. Father Frank then served in the following parishes: Immaculate Conception in Elmhurst, Illinois from 1954-1958; St. Mary in West Chicago, Illinois from 1958-1962; Marinton and L'Erable from 1962-1966; St. Charles Parish in Bensenville, Illinois from 1966-1968; Assumption in Ashkum, Illinois from 1968-1980; Paxton and Loda from 1980-1986; St. Edmund in Watseka, Illinois from 1986- 1991; St. Rose in Wilmington, Illinois from 1991-1998; and in his retirement years since 1998 to the present: St. Joseph Catholic Church in Colorado Springs.

He is survived by his cousins: Judy Swanson, Maureen Rogus, Debbie Jacobs, Kathleen St. Onge, John "Jack" Termini, William Klorig, and a host of extended family, including his adopted family: The Randy Brundgardt Family of Colorado Springs.

He was preceded in death by his sister: Margaret Maher; his uncle: Joseph Monahan and his cousins: Valerie Haga and Fr. John Monahan and his dear friend of over 40 years: Lu Gbur.

A Mass of Christian Burial and interment was previously held in Colorado Springs.

A Memorial Mass in honor of Fr. Maher and his service to the Wilmington and surrounding communities will be held on Thursday June 19, 2014 at 7:00PM in St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street in Wilmington. Reverend Steve Bondi will officiate.

Friends may sign the online guest book, which will be forwarded onto Fr. Maher's family by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.