Rev. Victor Kaltenbach
Rev. Victor Kaltenbach age 78, of Greenville, IL died on Friday, January 18, 2013 at 10:10 p.m. in the Rosewood Care Center in Alton, IL. He was born February 11, 1934 in Liberty, IL a son of Alois and Marguerite (Schmidt) Kaltenbach.
Fr. Vic was a 1952 graduate of Liberty High School and Valedictorian of his class. He attended Western Illinois University for three years, went on to be a member of the diocese’s first class at the Latin School, followed by attending seminary at Mundelein. He was ordained a Catholic priest by Bishop William A. O’Conner May 26, 1962. Father Vic celebrated his 50th Jubilee as a priest in 2012.
Fr. Vic had served as an assistant at Quincy’s St. John the Baptist Church, St. Mary in Alton, St. Aloysius in Springfield, and St. Patrick in Decatur. He served as parochial administrator at St. Mary, Marshall, IL for one year. He had served as pastor at St. Michael’s in Greenfield, St. Catherine, Hagaman, and St. Patrick in Springfield, IL. He served as parochial administrator at St. Lawrence in Greenville, prior to being pastor there from 1995-2009, since then he has served as parochial administrator at St. Lawrence.
In 1994, he became chaplain at the Greenville Federal Correction Institute, saying mass every Sunday afternoon, until very recently.
Fr. Vic was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and he was a fan of St. Louis Cardinal baseball. He was a wonderful brother and a friend to many; he will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his brothers and sisters, Wilfred (Audrey) Kaltenbach of Naples, FL; Vernon Kalternbach of Quincy; Marcella Fessler of Quincy and Sabina (Glenn) Fessler of Fowler, IL. Many nieces, nephews and his friend and caregiver, Carol Giesen of Godfrey, IL also survive.
Fr. Vic was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Mary Davidson; two sisters-in-law, Pat Kaltenbach and Connie Kaltenbach and two brothers-in-law, Dale Fessler and Roger Davidson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Brigid Catholic Church presided by Bishop Thomas Paprocki, Rev. Jeff Stone, Rev. David Peters and Rev. Bill Hembrow. Private interment will be in St. Brigid Cemetery, Liberty. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at St. Brigid Church, Liberty.
Memorials are suggested to St. Brigid Church or to St. Brigid Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are with the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home, Quincy. www.dukerandhaugh.com
father vic , was at st patricks , at springfield , a long time . my mother Beverly weitzel , was the secretery at the church . father vic was a big supporter of the ethnic festival , and was admired .
may you rest in the high heavens, in peace love and joy, as intercede for my love kiss the holiest hand of Christ himself for me. I love you and will see you in time again. thank you for leading me to the vocation with great love, because of you I have become anew. I love you
Father had many dinners at the home of my parents, Paul and Evy Holtschlag. I was in grade school when Father was an assistant at St. John. I remember as cheerful and fun loving. He honored the priesthood and was an excellent example of how to live as a Christian.
Fond memories of Father Vic from St. Aloysius grade school in Springfield, Illinois. He was the “Cool” Father who rode the Harley Davidson. Always took time to joke with us kids
I met Ft Vic at rosewood. He and my grandmother were meal time buddies. He and I had some great laughs and he was very much looking forward at the time to the Alabama-Notre Dame game. He and grandma had some great talks, and he was a great man. Sad to see him go, but so happy to see his pain is healed and he is with his loved ones now.
Fr. Vic married me and my husband 31 years ago at St. Thomas Church. He made everyone smile, and he drove his Goldwing all the way from Springfield to Camp Point for the rehearsal. My mother was Irene Knuffman Baucom and they were cousins. He will always be remembered by his caring smile and sense of humor
I remember Father from St. John’s in the 60’s. He was a great priest and good friends to so many students there. He worked with us at our volleyball practices as well as softball. He was such a caring person. God Bless Him; May he rest in peace.
Dear Kaltenbach Family, I knew Father Kaltenbach when he would come to Quincy to visit friends, he would come out to St. Lawrence Chapel many many times to say mass when Father Loyola was there, I served so many times with him, God rest his soul, a very good priest I had known. Paul K. Geers, long time altar server at the Soldiers home Chapel 1964-1987.
Father Vic was an incredibly spiritual, kind, caring Priest… such a loss. We will be forever grateful for the friendship and ministering he provided to my Mom in her years here… and for the comfort he provided us when upon her passing. He ministered to us by administering the Holy Sacraments to Shelly as she entered the Catholic faith and was an inspiration to us with his gentle counsel. He will be greatly missed by his parish and the community… I know Mom will be among the very first to welcome him into Heaven…