JERSEYVILLE — Father William H. Hembrow, a beloved priest of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, passed away unexpectedly at the rectory of Holy Ghost Parish on Sept. 6. He was 84 years old.

He was born in Jerseyville on April 26. 1932, and was one of three children born to the late Charles and Mary (Dougherty) Hembrow.

Father Hembrow was proud of his Medora roots and was a student at a one room schoolhouse in rural Medora, as well as Medora High School. He attended the Diocesan Latin School in New Berlin and the St. John’s Seminary in Little Rock, Ark. He was ordained on May 21, 1960 by Bishop William A. O’Connor in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. His first Mass was celebrated at his home parish, St. John in Medora.

As a new priest, he began his service as an assistant at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield for four years, and then was an assistant St. Mary Parish in Alton from 1964 to 1968 and at St. Patrick Parish in Decatur from 1968 to 1972. He was then appointed pastor at St. Mary Parish in Pierron, where he served from 1972 to 1976. From there he was called to Jerseyville, where he has served as the pastor/parochial administrator at both Holy Ghost Parish and St. Mary Parish in Fieldon for over 40 years. He referred to the priesthood as “a blessing from God.”

In his years at his parishes, Father Hembrow served not only the Lord, but his parishioners and the community. He had boundless energy and compassion, and was kind to everyone he met, regardless of their religious affiliation. He made friends very easily and was known for his good sense of humor and his fine homilies. He was a sports fan and was instrumental in adding a regulation-size gymnasium and hall to the Holy Ghost site — and it was named after him.

Since Aug. 24, Father Hembrow’s parishioners have been taking part in 40 days of prayers and sacrifice and were planning on presenting him with a spiritual bouquet in honor of his long service to their parishes and to his many years as a priest. The parishioners will continue on with the endeavor until Oct. 2, Feast of Guardian Angels. Father Hembrow spent his last day on earth visiting residents at Jerseyville Manor.

Surviving him are his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jo and Joe Ducey of Alton; his nieces and their spouses, Laura and Gary Tucker of Evergreen, Co., Diane and Mark Anderson of Alton, Cindy and David Moore of Alton, Traci Hahn of Houston, and Sandy and Rick Saunders of Norfolk, Va.; a nephew and his spouse, Joseph and Helen Hembrow of Golden, Co., and many devoted parishioners.

In addition to his parents, Father Hembrow was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, John “Jack” and Jackie Hembrow.

A visitation was held on Sept. 8 at Holy Ghost Church in Jerseyville, and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Sept. 9 at the same church. He was laid to rest alongside his parents at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Jerseyville in a private ceremony.

In honor of Father Hembrow’s great devotion to young people, memorials gifts are suggested to St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School of Jerseyville.

Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville was in charge of arrangements.