WHEELING — Father Robert F. Cooney, CSV, died at Addolorata Villa here on Dec. 12. He was 87 years old.

He was born in Springfield, the son of William and Florence Fitzpatrick Cooney. He graduated from Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield, held a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, and a master's degree in library science from Rosary College in River Forest.

Father Cooney pronounced his first vows on Feb. 5, 1951, his final vows on Feb. 5, 1954 and was ordained a priest in Techny on June 9, 1957 by Bishop William O'Brien.

In Illinois and Las Vegas, he served as a teacher and librarian at several schools and was an associate pastor and a parochial vicar at several parishes. In the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois he served as a teacher at St. James Trade School in Springfield from 1953-1954 and was a chaplain at St. John's Hospital in Springfield from 1977-1981. His last assignment was parochial vicar at Guardian Angel Cathedral in Las Vegas, where he served from 1990 until 1996 and then continued to serve on weekends for almost 10 more years.

In 2005, he moved to the Province Center retirement residence in Arlington Heights and then to Addolorata Villa in 2011.

Father Cooney was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Bernard, William, John and Joseph Cooney; and by his sister, Sister William Bernard Cooney, OP, of Springfield. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at the Viatorian Province Center chapel on Dec. 16 and interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.