QUINCY — Father Austin Albers, OFM, age 80, of St. Vincent’s Home, Quincy died on Aug. 9, in the home. Father Austin was born July 7, 1936 in St. Louis, a son of Anthony and Margaret (Wienstroer) Albers.
Father Austin was the youngest of 10 children. He decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother Father Edwin, and became a Franciscan priest. He entered the Franciscan Order on June 21, 1956, and was ordained on Jan. 19, 1964 by Bishop Henry Ambrose Pinger, OFM, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Teutopolis.
His whole priestly life was dedicated to serving in various parishes throughout the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart. He served as an associate pastor for 13 years before assuming the responsibilities of being a pastor for 35 years. In the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois he served at St. Francis Solanus Parish in Quincy from 1965 to 1973 and then again from 1990 until 2001. His last assignments were as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Teutopolis and St. Rose of Lima Parish in Montrose, where he served from 2001 to 2012.
His love for people endeared him to many. Parishioners enjoyed his homilies for they were down to earth and spoke to people where they were at. He loved accompanying people on their faith journey and encouraging people to use their gifts and talents to build up the parish community. The last four years of his life were spent in retirement due to the physical diminishment of his health, but he never lost his Franciscan passion to become Christ for others.
Survivors include his sister, Shirley Schallom; his brother, Father Edwin Albers, OFM, both of St. Louis; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Father Roland Albers, MSF, Melvin (Gloria) Albers, Maurice (Loraine) Albers, Antoinette (George) Ulses, Luella (Marvin) Tebeau, Francis “Bud” Albers, Norman Albers and Art Albers.
A visitation and a prayer service for Father Austin were held on Aug. 11, in St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Quincy. A Mass of Christian burial was held on Aug. 13 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in St. Louis. Interment was in Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Province, St. Anthony Friary, 3140 Meramec Street St. Louis, MO 63118-4399.
Funeral arrangements in Quincy were entrusted to the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home.