Allen Maes
Red Bud, IL |
Father Allen Maes, OMI, 85, died on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Dammert Care Center of the Benedictine Living Community at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL.
Fr. Maes was born in Red Bud, IL, on September 22, 1939, to the late Arthur and Martha, nee Thomure, Maes. After his primary education in Chester, IL, he attended St. Henry’s Seminary in Belleville, prior to joining the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He pronounced his first vows as an Oblate in 1959, in Godfrey, IL, and completed his studies for the priesthood in Rome and San Antonio, TX. He was ordained a priest on September 7, 1968.
His first priestly assignment was at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville where he was known for his creativity and outgoing personality. He returned to the ministry at the Shrine several times throughout his life, but he also spent many years mentoring seminarians in Belleville, Omaha, and St. Louis. For one year, he taught English at an Oblate school in Cameroon. He served for three years as Vocation Director in Chicago. For six years, he was the Area Provincial Councilor, working out of Belleville. After serving as chaplain at the Benedictine Living Center for three years, he moved to St. Henry’s Oblate Community in Belleville where he stayed until moving back to the Benedictine as a resident in 2023.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and his brothers-in-law, David Hunter and Bruce Brown.
He is survived by his two sisters, Jean Hunter (friend, Charles Harper) of Las Cruces, NM, and Mary Brown of Chester, IL. He is also survived by about 3400 Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in around 70 countries.
In lieu of flowers, donations for the missions of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL.
As a final act of kindness, Fr. Maes donated his body to Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, to help future medical professionals save lives.
Renner Funeral Home
