Father Michael Ewert, OFM, died Nov. 12 at St. Francis Convent in Springfield. Father Michael, son of Michael and Ruth (Wilman) Ewert was born Aug. 16, 1932 in Dubuque, Iowa and baptized Joseph Michael.

After completing high school, he entered the Franciscan Seminary of the Sacred Heart Province. He entered the Franciscan novitiate in Teutopolis to become a friar in 1952 and was ordained to the priesthood June 24, 1959.

Father Michael served in three parishes from 1960 to 1969. He then served as a military chaplain in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1975. He returned to serve as a pastor in several parishes until 1991. From 1991 to 1997 (and again from 1999 to 2001) he served as executive director of St. Francis Village in Crowley, Texas. He also spent several more years as a pastor. From 2001 on, Father Michael served in supply ministry in several parishes.

In the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, Father Michael served at St. Francis in Quincy from 1960 to 1961 and then again from 1975 to 1982; St. Francis in Teutopolis from 1961 to 1965; St. James in Riverton and St. Joseph in Buffalo from 1987 to 1989; and at Mother of Perpetual Help in Maryville from 1997 to 1999.

Father Michael had one married sister, Mary Cullen, who is deceased.

He is survived by two nieces, Jeanne Coogan and Dianne Wickman and one nephew, Dr. Joseph Cullen.

A funeral Mass for Father Michael was held Nov. 23 at St. Joseph Church in Springfield with Father Michael Jennrich, OFM, as celebrant. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa at a later date.