DECATUR - Father Robert J. Rebert, retired priest of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, died Aug. 1 at St. Joseph Hospital in Bloomington.

{mosimage}He was born Dec. 15, 1932 in Decatur, son of Joseph and Gladys Edwards Rebert. A graduate of St. Teresa High School and Mundelein Seminary, he was ordained a priest in 1957. He was an assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Springfield (1958-1961) and St. Bernard in Wood River (1961-1964) before becoming a missionary for the St. James Missionary Society in South America. He was on a leave of absence from 1969 until 1996 when he was reinstated and was appointed chaplain for the Pope John Paul I Apartments in Springfield. He retired from active ministry in 2002.

Surviving are a daughter, Sophie Rebert of Decatur; a son, Jeremy Rebert of Decatur; a brother, Jack Rebert of Decatur; two grandchildren; two nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Thomas and James.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 6 at Holy Family Church in Decatur. Burial was in Graceland Fairlawn Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, St. John's Hospital in Springfield, or St. Teresa High School in Decatur.

Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, was in charge of arrangements.