Date of death: 5/12/2009
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1966
Monsignor Bernard Lawrence Voss, 68, born September 25, 1940, in Germantown, IL, died at Aviston Countryside Manor, Aviston, IL.Father Voss received his elementary education at Germantown and his high school and junior college at St. Henry’s Preparatory Seminary in Belleville. He then attended Saint Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, IN.He was ordained a priest at St. Henry’s Catholic Church on May 7, 1966, and assigned to St. Augustine Church in Belleville. He served as administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish, Columbia, IL, and St. Martin’s Parish in Washington Park, IL. In 1974, he was appointed pastor of St. Catherine of Laboure Church in Cahokia, IL, until 1982, when he became pastor of St. Henry’s Church in Belleville, where he served until his death.Father Voss was named a Monsignor on May 5, 2000, by Pope John Paul II. He served as chaplain of the Serra Club of St. Clair County for many years. He also served as vocation director, CYO director, and Dean of the Belleville Deanery and was a member of the Diocesan Review Board. Msgr. Voss was the chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Driscoll Council of Fairview Heights, IL, and Faithful Friar of the Bishop Zuroweste Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree.Father Voss was known for his pleasant disposition, his dedication to his ministry, and his kind and gentle pastoral manner toward all who came in contact with him. He was very loved by his parishioners. St. Henry’s Parish named the parish hall in his honor and held a wonderful celebration of his fortieth anniversary as a priest.Father Voss enjoyed gardening. He showed real skill in growing and propagating roses, which could be admired by churchgoers at St. Henry’s. He also grew tomatoes for the neighborhood and always claimed to have the first tomato of the season.Father was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Bernard and Marie Elizabeth, nee Schomaker, Voss; his brother, Linus Voss; and his brother-in-law, James Jacober.Surviving are two sisters and two brothers, Betty Ann Jacober of Highland, IL, Mary Frances (Rick) Yurkovich of Westchester, IL, Father Dennis Voss of St. Libory, IL, and Regis (Barbara) Voss of Germantown, IL; a sister-in-law, Sylvia Voss of Huntington Beach, CA; 11 nieces and nephews and 13 great-nieces and great-nephews.Memorials may be made to St. Henry’s Catholic Church, to the Serra Club of St. Clair County, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.