Date: January 31, 2015
The Chancery received word Saturday, January 31, 2015 that Reverend Monsignor Raymond J. Wahl, JCD, PA, died at OSF St. Anthony Hospital, Rockford, after a brief illness. Monsignor was a resident of Presence Cor Mariae Center, Rockford, Illinois. Monsignor was born on January 26, 1928, in Sterling, Illinois, to Leo J. and Verna (Glafka) Wahl.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, February 6, 2015, at 11:00AM at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church Street, Rockford. Visitation will be from 3PM-8PM Thursday, February 5 at the church with rosary at 7:30PM and visitation from 9:30AM-10:45AM at the church prior to the Mass. Bishop David J. Malloy will be the main celebrant. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Sterling, Illinois. Arrangements are being made by Anderson-Klotz-Long Funeral Home, Rockford, Illinois.
Monsignor Wahl attended St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 8, 1952, by Bishop O’Connor at St. Mary Church, Sterling, Illinois. In August, 1954, Monsignor was sent to Rome to study at the Gregorian University and received a Juris Doctorate Degree in September, 1957. He later went to Loyola University, Chicago and earned a Masters in Religious Education in 1973. He was Papal Chamberlain (Monsignor) by Pope John XXIII September 21, 1961, and later Protonotary Apostolic by Pope Paul VI. Monsignor’s first assignment was as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Aurora (5/1952-8/1954). His other assignments were Chancellor of the Diocese (9/1957-1/1969); Officialis, Diocesan Tribunal (9/1957-12/1975 & 7/1984-6/1985); Diocesan Director of Education (9/1957-1/1969); Director of Vocations (2/1962-9/1966); Pastor, St. Rita Parish, Cherry Valley (9/1962-12/1969); Pro-Synodal Judge (11/1966-11/1972 & 3/1976-3/1982); Pastor, St. Rita Parish, Aurora (12/1969)-10/1973); Diocesan Consultor (1/1969-1/1985);Pastor, St. Thomas Parish, Freeport (10/1973-2/1978); Superintendent of the Freeport Catholic Schools (10/1973-6/1974); Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Amboy (2-1978-10/1983); Dean of the Sterling Deanery (3/1978-10/1983);Pastor, St. Michael Parish, Galena (10/1983-5/1996); Director of the Propagation of the Faith (7/1984-7/1995); Dean of the Freeport Deanery (4/1986-5/1996); Pastor of St. John Parish, Hanover (11/1991-7/1992); Pastor of St. Edward Parish, Rockford (5/1996-7/2005); Bishop’s Representative for the Presbyteral Council (5/1996 to present); Diocesan Consultor (5/1996 to present). Monsignor retired from active ministry July 1, 2005.
Monsignor is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, brother priests and special friends. He is predeceased by his parents, brothers Warren P., Robert L., John F. and sisters Jane Marie Wahl and Mary Jane Wahl Gearns.
