mulcrone-charles.jpgMsgr. Charles P. Mulcrone, age 84, retired priest of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, died Oct. 30 at St. Joseph Home in Springfield.
He was born Aug. 19, 1924, in Chicago, son of the late Peter and Ellen Mulcrone. He was ordained a priest on May 23, 1953.
Msgr. Mulcrone served as assistant at St. Anthony of Padua, Effingham, 1953-1957, and Sacred Heart, Springfield, 1957-1958. He was chaplain at Ursuline Convent, Springfield, 1958-1959, and at Notre Dame High School, Quincy, 1959. He served as assistant at St. Joseph, Granite City, 1959-1963; St. Mary, Paris, 1963-1966; and Ss. Peter and Paul, Collinsville, 1966-1968. He was pastor at St. John, Coffeen, and Sacred Heart, Panama, 1968-1972. He served as diocesan director of rural life in 1970 and was chaplain at St. John's Hospital, Springfield 1972-1976. He was pastor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Springfield, 1976-1987. He was parochial administrator at Sacred Heart, Villa Grove, St. Michael, Hume, and St. Thomas Aquinas, Brocton, 1987, and then pastor at St. Mary, Farmersville, and St. Patrick, Girard, 1987-1991. He was parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament, Springfield, 1991 until his retirement from active ministry in 1994. He then served as director of the Priests' Retirement Center, Springfield, 1997-1998.
On July 11, 2002, he received the papal honor "Prelate of Honor to His Holiness" and was named "Monsignor."
He was Faithful Friar of Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Bishop Griffin Assembly. He enjoyed entertaining people with his fabulous piano playing.
Msgr. Mulcrone is survived by a sister, Mary (husband, Edward) Gietl of Denver, Colo., and two brothers, Edward (wife, Mary) Mulcrone of Glenview, and Vincent (wife, Elinore) Mulcrone of Chicago and a sister-in-law, Barbara Mulcrone of Chicago; 25 nieces and nephews, 49 grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Margaret Mulcrone, Therese Horan and Eileen Matalone; and one brother, Joseph Mulcrone.
The funeral Mass was held Nov. 3 at St. Francis of Assisi Church at the motherhouse of the Hospital Sisters in Springfield, with Bishop J. Lucas and priests of the diocese concelebrating. Burial was Nov. 4 at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.
Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Commission for the Care of Infirm and Retired Priests - Catholic Pastoral Center 1615 W. Washington. P.O. Box 3187 Springfield, IL 62708.