Deacon Weskirchen was a ‘cheerful soul’ with a ‘deep, abiding love for God’

Deacon Charles Weskirchen, who served at two Omaha parishes, died July 23 at Angela Care Home in Moreno Valley, California. He was 92.

A memorial service was held Aug. 16 at Immaculate Conception Church in Colton, California, and a memorial Mass was held Oct. 15 at Sacred Heart Church in Omaha. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery, also in Omaha.

A native Omahan, Deacon Weskirchen served in the U.S. Army Air Corp from 1947 to 1950. He then went on to enjoy a long career as a custodial engineer for the Omaha Public Schools.

Ordained a deacon in 1986, he served at Sacred Heart Parish and St. Philip Neri Parish in Omaha. He served on Sacred Heart’s parish council, including as president, and was an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, taking Communion to homebound parishioners and nursing home residents.

Father Thomas Fangman, former pastor of Sacred Heart, remembers Deacon Weskirchen as a “jokester,” and a “cheerful soul,” but also as a compassionate person who took time for everyone.

“He loved talking to people,” said Father Fangman, now pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Elkhorn. “He always had a true concern for those in need,” and was active in his parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society conference.

Deacon Weskirchen “combined his love for service, his devotion to (his wife) Minnie, his dedication to his parishes … and a deep, abiding love for God,” said Father Daniel Kampschneider in a written tribute. “Deacon Chuck and Minnnie always enjoyed meeting people and seeing how they could be involved,” said the former St. Philip Neri pastor and current pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Omaha.

Deacon Weskirchen was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie; and parents, Catherine (Patz) and Charles Weskirchen. He is survived by sisters, Catherine Collette and Rose Ellen Carroll; brother, Gerald Weskirchen; daughter, Kathleen Franck; sons, Charles Weskirchen and John Weskirchen; 11 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.