| Sources |
- [S293] Staab Funeral Home, Paulus, Donard (Edwin).
Donard (Edwin) Paulus OFM, died at the age of 86 of heart failure on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at 2:50am in the Hospice Unit of St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, after a year of declining health.
Born in Petoskey, Michigan, on June 7, 1921, of Joseph and Mary (nee Wegemer) Paulus, Edwin entered the Order of Friars Minor in Sacred Heart Province on August 19, 1942, and received the named Donard. He professed solemn vows in 1946 and was ordained a priest on June 24,1948.
He began his service to the Church and to the Order as field secretary for the Seraphic Society for Vocations (SSV) - the provinces vocation office. Except for two special assignments - three years as field secretary for lay retreats working out of A1verna Retreat House in Indianapolis from 63 to 66 and a year of continuation from 1972 to 1973 - Donard spent his career in parochial ministry from 1950 to 2007 when he retired to Our Lady of Angels Friary in Villa West. He also served as a provincial councilor or definitor from 1987 to 1990.
Donard was one of those special friar-priests who was known as a master builder because it seems that, wherever he was stationed, he embarked upon a major and necessary building project. When he was in Ruston (LA) the second time from 1966 to 1972 as pastor and director of the Newman Center (he was also there during 1957-1963 as pastor of both Ruston and Grambling), he build the parish church. When he was at St. Judes in New Lenox (IL) from 1973-1982, he again built a new parish church. Between 1982 and 1989 he again oversaw the construction of a new church for St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Parma (OH). Then, during his pastorate at Cross in the Woods (1990-1999) in Indian River (MI), he was responsible for the new shrine church.
Donard was a man of few words who spoke a great deal with his eyes. He was a real gentleman but resolute in his thinking, congenial but guarded, friendly but restrained, laid back but determined, private but concerned for his people, especially the poor.
The funeral arrangements for Donard Paulus OFM are as follows:
Visitation in Sherman, Illinois:
Chapel of Villa West, Sunday, May 11th, 2:00-4:00pm, with Evening Prayer at 4:00pm
Services in Indian River, Michigan:
Wednesday, May 14th, 10:00am-9:00pm Thursday, May 15th, 10:00am, Cross in the Woods Catholic Church Cross in the Woods Catholic Church, 7078 M-68, Indian River, MI 49749 Mass of Christian Burial 231.238.8983
Burial: Cross in the Woods Cemetery
Donards body will lie in state.
May Donard rest in peace!
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Donard, please visit our Tree Store.
Staab Funeral Home
HFA: 27AUG2023
- [S248] Staff, Petoskey News-Review: Obituaries, (Name: Petoskey News-Review; Location: Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan, United States;), Paulus, Donard (Edwin).
Deceased Name: Father Donard Paulus : Indian River priest's life driven by benevolence
INDIAN RIVER - Although Father Donard Paulus spent his life as a priest, his greatest achievements were away from the pulpit.
Rather than use sermons to spread the gospel, Paulus - who died Saturday, May 10, at age 86 - did it through action. His fellow clergyman and friend, Pastor Bob Moody of the Joy Fellowship Assembly of God in Indian River, said Paulus devoted his life to helping others and lived by the quote from St. Francis, 'Go and preach the gospel and if necessary use words.'
Helping others, Moody added, was what drove Paulus' life.
"He reveled in it. He loved it. Even when his health began to fail and he couldn't do much I never heard him complain," he said. "He was just one of those rare individuals."
Moody first began working closely with Paulus 17 years ago shortly after Paulus became the priest of Cross in the Woods in Indian River where he served from 1990-2007. At the time, Moody's church was involved in some outreach work and he wanted to include other area congregations. Paulus , Moody said, was a strong supporter from the very beginning. Together, they worked on community projects to benefit the poor. As time passed, more pastors became involved to form what is today known as the League of Extraordinary Ministers. Made up of seven churches, the group provides assistance with food and other expenses such as utility and medical bills.
Without Paulus ' support, Moody said the league would not be what it is today. But even though his friend made a big impact on the community, he said Paulus never once took credit for anything.
"He was a truly humble man. I never heard him once draw attention to himself," he said. "He stood out in his humility and his genuine love. He never assumed any airs or superiority ever."
Moody added, "He was a man of very small stature but he was a giant."
Father Richard Baranski, who worked with Paulus at Cross in the Woods, also remembers Paulus as a generous man who did whatever he could to preach the gospel and promote kindness. As part of that goal, Baranski said Paulus was involved in building churches and known as a master builder. Throughout his life, he organized the construction of four churches in Louisiana, Illinois, Ohio and Cross in the Woods in Indian River. Wherever he went, Baranski said, he built churches.
But like Moody, Baranski said Paulus ' main interest was in helping the people he came in contact with.
"He was very much concerned about the poor and justice for all people," he said. "He helped whoever came to the door, financially and spiritually."
Baranski added, "He was very quiet about all that. I'm sure there was a lot that he did that we aren't aware of."
Paulus is survived by his brother, Donald (Joanne) Paulus of Petoskey and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at Cross in the Woods Catholic Church in Indian River located at 7078 M-68 with a rosary beginning at 6 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at the church with burial to follow at the Shrine Cemetery in Indian River.
Memorials may be made to the Cross in the Woods Catholic Shrine, the Cross in the Woods Endowment Fund or the Father Donard fund for the poor.
Louise Nelle 439-9339 - lnelle@petoskeynews.com
Petoskey News-Review: 13May2008
HFA: 27AUG2023
- [S248] Staff, Petoskey News-Review: Obituaries, (Name: Petoskey News-Review; Location: Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan, United States;), Sister Callista [Wegemer, Agnes].
Sister Callista Rites Are Held
Sister M. Callista, 75, the former Agnes Wegemer of Petoskey, died in St. Louis, Mo. recently following a long illness.
Her brother, Norbert, and her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paulus of Petoskey, have returned from St. Louis where they attended the services.
Sister Callista was a native of Petoskey and attended St. Francis school and church here, most of her life as a St. Joseph Sister was spent in St. Theresa College, Kansas City, where she taught music and painting.
Other survivors include a brother, Fr. Ludger Wegemer, OFM, of Cleveland and two sisters, Sister M. Regis and Sister M. Emily of Manitowoc, and a nephew, Fr. Donnard Paulus, OFM, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paulus.
Petoskey News-Review: 19JAN1965
HFA: 11OCT2023
|
1921 - 2008 (86 years)