The Reverend Monsignor “Fr. Mike” Kuse, former pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, died on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in Blessing Hospital. He was born on July 22, 1941, at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Quincy. He is the son of Maurice and Shirley (Schmidt) Kuse. He is survived by his sister-in-law: Joyce Kuse; nieces, Angela Marie ‘Angel’ Kuse and April (Richard) Sibbing; great nieces and nephews; Abigail Kline, William and Michael Venvertloh, Gus, Wesley, Sophia, and Maggie Sibbing.

Fr. Mike graduated from Saint Boniface Grade School in 1955, Quincy Notre Dame in 1959 and received degrees in Philosophy and Theology from Saint Mary of Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois; He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop William O’Connor at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Springfield on May 20, 1967.

During his first fourteen years as a priest, Fr. Mike served as Parochial Vicar at five different parishes in several areas of the diocese. He served at Christ the King Parish in Springfield from 1967-70; at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Collinsville from 1970 to 1975; at Saint Patrick Parish in Decatur from 1975 to 1976; at Saint Thomas Parish in Decatur from 1976 to 1980 and at Saint Anthony Parish in Effingham from 1980 to 1981.

As Pastor, Fr. Mike served at Sacred Heart Parish in Villa Grove, Saint Michael Parish in Hume and Saint Thomas Parish in Brocton from 1981 to 1984; at Saint Anthony Parish in Effingham from 1984 to 1987; at Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville from 1989 to 1995; at Saint Mary Parish in Quincy from 1996 to 2006; at Blessed Sacrament Parish from 2006 to 2017. He entered retirement in July of 2017. Wile Fr. Mike was in Jacksonville, he served at a parochial administrator of Saint Luke Parish in Virginia from 1992 to 1995.

Fr. Mike also had diocesan appointments. He served as Dean of the Jacksonville Deanery from 1989 to 1995 and Dean of the Quincy Deanery from 2004 to 2017; He served as Vocation Director from 1988 to 2000. From 1995 to 1997 he served as President of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. He also was the director of the Ministry to Priests Program of our diocese from 1987 to 1989. He received the title of Monsignor in 2002 along with several other priests of the diocese.

In addition to his assignments, Fr. Mike also enjoyed his participation in various renewal programs, such as the Koinonia, Teens Encounter Christ, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter and his Priest Support Group. These processes of faith development enriched his gift of the Priesthood. He had the joy of serving in all of the Deaneries of Springfield Diocese. His Priest Support Group involved priests from the Peoria and Springfield Diocese.

Fr. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Gregory Kuse, grandparents, John and Francis (Huber) Kuse and August and Bertha (Loher) Schmidt; Aunts and Uncles, Merle Schmidt, Robert Schmidt, Don Schmidt (Jackie Stormer), Betty Schmidt (Dick Sipek), Ted and Helen (Kuse) Kansteiner, Alfred Kuse, and George and Mary (Kuse) Miller.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at Blessed Sacrament Church. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.