Fr. Robert William Braun, OMI, 83
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Fr. Robert William Braun, OMI, 83, born August 29, 1925, in Chester, IL, died Saturday, January 10, 2009, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, IL.
Fr. Braun was baptized into the faith by Fr. Charles Eckert at St. Mary Help of Christians in Chester, IL, where he also attended grade school and was confirmed by Bishop Henry Althoff.
Robert attended high school and junior college at St. Henry's Preparatory Seminary in Belleville, where he decided to join the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. His initial formation was at St. Peter's novitiate in Mission, TX, after which he did his philosophy and theology studies at St. Joseph's Scholasticate, Ottawa, Canada, in 1951. During his 64 years of religious life and 58 years of priesthood, he served the community in various ways.
His early ministry was teaching at St. Henry's Preparatory Seminary while he continued his studies in classics at St. Louis University. He brought his enthusiasm for the classical languages to the Oblate seminaries in Belleville, IL, and Carthage, MO, and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Lockport, IL. Later, he would serve as spiritual director at Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas, TX, and as Newman chaplain in Cape Girardeau, MO. Fr. Braun served as a hospital chaplain at St. Joseph's Hospital in Alton, IL, before becoming associate pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in International Falls, MN. He served in the pilgrimage department at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL, during which time he became involved in the Cursillo movement for which he eventually became a regional spiritual advisor. He moved to St. Henryís Oblate Residence and continued various ministries in the Belleville area, including acting as chaplain to the Poor Clare Monastery.
Surviving are four sisters, Sr. Theresa Marie Braun, ASC, of Quincy, IL, Rita Braun and Charlene Kogler, both of Las Vegas, NV, and Bernadette (Charles) Dignan of Chesterfield, MO; a niece; and nephews. Fr. Braun was preceded in death by his parents, William Roman and Florence Lucille, nee Wolshock, Braun.
Father Braun donated his body to St. Louis University School of Medicine.
Friends may call from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2009, at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Church, Belleville, IL.
A Memorial Mass is planned for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2009, at the The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Church.
Arrangements are by George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.