Rev. Philibert Hoebing, O.F.M.
Rev. Philibert Hoebing,O.F.M., age 91, of Sunset Home, and Holy Cross Friary, died on Friday, December 5, 2014 in Sunset Home.
He was born on July 2, 1923 in Melrose Twp. Adams County, IL to Mary (Wand) and Frank Hoebing . He entered the Franciscan Order on August 19, 1942, and was ordained a Franciscan priest on June 25, 1950. He was then assigned to teach philosophy at Quincy University in 1952. His passion for teaching Logic, Ethics, Environmental Ethics, Bioethics, and Medieval Philosophy lasted for fifty-eight years. He has the unique distinction of being the only Franciscan who has spent this many years at Quincy University as an educator.
His passion for philosophy eventually led him to become a national promoter for “Philosophy for Children” under the guidance of Dr. Matthew Lipman at Montclair State University. Fr. Phil believed in empowering children and adults to think critically and creatively.
Fr. Phil was likewise an active member of the Missouri Folklore Society after being inspired by the Harry Hyatt who wrote, “Folklore from Adams County, Illinois.” With his love for folklore, he began to collect local stories on fishing, hunting, and colorful characters from the Tri-State Area. In 1997 he published “Wildcat Whistle: Folklore, Fishing and Hunting Stories from the Mississippi River Valley.” He had hoped to complete another publication on local folklore but his diminishing health impeded the completion of this project.
He served as National Spiritual Director of the Western Catholic Union from 1998 till 2012. In 2002 he established a local chapter of The Socrates Cafe’which gathered once a month to dialogue on current issues. Fr. Phil was an active member of the “Cat Fish Club” better known as the “Liars Club , to share stories and the latest gossip.
Fr. Phil received an honorary PhD from Quincy University in 2000 and was honored by the Holy See with the “Pro Pontifice et Ecclesia Award ” (For Pope and Church) in 2002 for his distinguished service to the Church.
Survivors include nieces and nephews: Larry (Phyllis) Hoebing; Dale (Barb) Hoebing; Paul (Vicki)Hoebing; Marvin (Cheryl) Hoebing; Linda Raufer; Kent Hoebing; Ross (Becky) Hoebing; Ken (Joyce) Loos; Vivian (John) Dickerman; Charles L. (Mary) Loos; Mona Aman; John Hoebing; Janet (Tom) Kuivila; Joyce Hoebing and her husband John Williams; Leigh Hoebing; Leslie Hoebing and Jeff Hoebing.
Many beloved great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews also survive, including: Shawn (Jennifer) Dickerman; Deanne (Chris Patterson) Dickerman; Randy (Mandi) Dickerman; Janel (Tom) Shaffer; Jeff (Nicki) Loos; Jody (Kristen) Loos; Kelley Loos; Joe (Sarah) Hegg; Jimmie Hoebing; Nick, Wes & Emmie Hoebing; Brandon Hoebing.; Kolby (Phil) Crook; Krista (Bob) Tierney; Kari (Chris) Molina; Brian (Lorie) Jones; Jamie (Mark) Davis; Eric (Wendy) Hoebing; Tony (Shawn) Wakeman; Heather (Lance) Rooney; Kyle,Raufer, Ashley Raufer; Vivian Williams, Graham Williams; Parker, Ellie and Reed Kuivila.
Great-great nieces and nephews, Kyle, Carolyn, Corinne and Kannon Dickerman; Madelyn and Eva Dickerman; Sophia, Jillian and Meredith Shaffer; Declan and Arden Tierney; Brent, Dalton, and Austin Davis; Cory, Cole and Cyle Jones, Kaiden, Kinsley and Kahler Molina, Makenzie Loos.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and all six of his brothers and sisters, Anthony (Mary) Hoebing; Mary (Charles) Loos; Catherine (Lloyd) Aman; Leo (Jean) Hoebing; Sr. Vivian Hoebing and Clarence Hoebing, and nephews, James, Joe and Charlie Hoebing.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, December 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in the Quincy University Chapel, with the Very Reverend William Spencer, O.F.M.. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Quincy University Chapel, there will be a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Thursday. Memorials are suggested to the Fr. Philibert Hoebing Scholarship Fund at Quincy University. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. www.dukerandhaugh.com
Fr. Phil was a fun and endlessly interesting fellow, a longtime and deeply valued colleague. He will be sorely missed by his friends at the Missouri Folklore Society.
Fr. Phil was a wonderful, intelligent, and, most of all, a faith affirming person, to all he met.
We can’t be there much to our sorrow. Father Phil will be missed by so many people. We got to know him through Western Catholic Union and had many good discussions of religious philosophy with him. He was such a warm and wonderful person. He is probably sitting by the side of Jesus discussing a point of religious belief with Him right now. He is one of the greatest people we’ve ever known and the world will not see his like again. We count ourselves blessed to have known him.
God bless and keep Father Phil and all of his very large extended family.
Bob and Sue Mitchell
Naples Florida
Fr. Phil endeared himself to many in the Quincy Community. He was a gifted professor, a devoted Friar and a man with a warm heart. He served the Veterans Home as a member of the Ethics Committee. Fr. Phil, please put in a good word for us with the Lord!