Father Martin Ignatius O’Hara, a priest of the Springfield diocese for 54 years, died Sunday, May 8, at Taylorville Memorial Hospital.

Father O’Hara was born July 3, 1927, in Chicago, the son of Michael and Bridget Durkin O’Hara. He attended Catholic grade and high schools and Quigley Preparatory in Chicago, and studied for the priesthood at St. Louis Preparatory and at St. Mary of the Lake University, Mundelein. He was ordained a priest May 23, 1953, by Bishop William O’Connor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.

After his ordination, he served as assistant at Sacred Heart, Granite City, 1953-1955; St. Agnes, Hillsboro, 1955-1959; Ss. Peter and Paul, Springfield, 1959-1963; St. James, Decatur, 1963-1967; St. Rose of Lima, Quincy, 1967-1968. He was pastor at St. Anselm, Kampsville, and St. Agnes, Belleview, and parochial administrator at St. Michael, Michael, 1968-1971. He was pastor at St. Alexius, Beardstown, 1971-1976; and St. Joseph, Chatham, 1976-1990. He was parochial vicar at St. Mary, Taylorville, and Holy Trinity, Stonington, 1990-1996; pastor of Holy Trinity, Stonington, 1996-2002, and parochial administrator there until his retirement in 2006.

Surviving are his sisters: Sister Mary Elizabeth O’Hara, OP, and Sister Ann O’Hara, OP, Sinsinawa Dominicans, and Beatrice Hopman; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceeding him in death were two brothers who were priests, Father James O’Hara of the Springfield diocese, and Father Michael O’Hara of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and brothers: Hugh, John and Thomas E. O’Hara; sisters Helen Hassett and Catherine Brannigan.

The Mass of Christian Burial was May 11 at Holy Trinity Church in Stonington, with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki officiating. There also was a Mass May 13 at St. John Fisher Church in Chicago. Burial was at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Alsip.

Memorials may be sent to Holy Trinity Church, 308 N. Pine, and Stonington, IL 62567.