Eugene Neff

Fr. Eugene Joseph Neff, 81, of Belleville, IL, born January 23, 1945, in Belleville, IL, died Friday, February 20, 2026, at Keystone Place at Richland Creek, O’Fallon, IL.

Eugene J. Neff, Jr. graduated from St. Peter’s Cathedral Grade School, Belleville, IL, in 1959. He then attended St. Henry Preparatory Seminary, and later St. John Seminary in Little Rock, AK, where he received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He attained his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) at Catholic Seminary in Indianapolis, IN.

He was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of St. Peter for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belleville on June 5, 1971. Over the years, he held various assignments. From 1971 to 1974, he served as associate pastor at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL. In 1974, he founded the Catholic Diocese of Belleville’s Ministry to Sick and Aged, where he served as a lifetime director. In 1982, he became pastor at St. Luke Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, and remained there until 1994, when he attended Boston College, Boston, MA, until January 1995. In January, he was called back to the area and served as pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Red Bud, IL. From 1996 to 2014, Fr. Gene served as Sacramental Minister at St. Joseph Parish, Lebanon, IL.

Fr. Gene also worked as Delegate for Health Affairs for the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, served as Vicar for the Retired Clergy, served on the Board of Directors for Catholic Social Services, and was Interim Administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Aviston, IL. In 2006, he was called to serve as pastor of St. George Catholic Church, New Baden, IL, until his retirement in 2019. A few years later, in 2022, he helped as a temporary administrator at both parishes of St. George Parish, New Baden, and St. Mary Parish, Trenton, IL.

Fr. Gene graciously served on many other boards and committees over the years, including the Steering Committee and Founding Board of Directors for Hospice of Southern Illinois, Board of Trustees for Catholic Social Services, Advisory Committee and Board of Trustees for both the Hincke-Sense Home and the Meredith Home, Advisory Council for the Area Agency on Aging of Southwestern Illinois, Board of Directors for the Western Clinton County Senior Center, and council member for the Presbyteral Council of New Baden, IL.

He had a special passion for ministering to elders, especially those in long-term care facilities. Fr. Gene also had a deep respect for animals and had many special pets over the years. He was especially fond of his dear basset hound, Greta. He loved working with his hands, gardening, tending to his yard, and had a great appreciation for stained glass, as it was an outlet for his creativity. As he grew older, he became more interested in continuing his education and reading, especially books by select authors on topics that broadened his mind and touched his heart. Over the years, his continued education led him to attain a Certificate in Gerontology from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, and a Master of Arts Degree in Gerontology from Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene J. Sr. and Dorothy, nee Klinkhardt, Neff; his grandparents, Ben and Margaret Neff and John and Barbara Klinkhardt; and two brothers-in-law, Regis Voss and Joseph Hideg.

Surviving are three sisters, Barbara Voss of Germantown, IL, Mary Lou (Ron) Conner of Littleton, CO, and Rose Marie Hideg of Columbia, IL; three nephews, Dan Voss, Steve (Sheila Sullivan) Voss, and Mike Voss, who is also his godson; a niece, Cathy (Chuck) Rasco; a great-nephew, Will Voss; a great-niece, Kate Voss; godchildren, Kevin (Jennifer) Kapelski and Hope Kapelski; and special friends, Connie Barre, John and Jeanette Dempsey, Walter Pietras, Jon and Wendy Brough, Jeff and Zach Bair, Jean and Rob Deitz, Dana Woods, Norma and Steve Lester, Patty and Marvin Eversgerd, Joy and David Paeth, Rachel and Dean Lugge, Paula Harry-Shinn, Gary Berhrman, and Eddie and Shelly Essenpreis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Diocesan Ministry to Sick and Aged, Age Smart Community Resource, Catholic War Veterans Post 370, or Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2026, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2026, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating. The Mass will be livestreamed on https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064688916442 or https://www.youtube.com/@st.augustineofcanterburyca9175/streams

Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

Obit Provided By:
Renner Funeral Home