Thomas Killeen
Belleville | Save
Fr. Thomas Killeen, OMI, 94, died on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Dammert Care Center of the Benedictine Living Community at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL.
Born in 1932 in Kansas City, MO, to the late Richard and Lena, nee Yates, Killeen, he spent his childhood and youth near Independence, MO. He entered the Oblates’ seminary in Carthage, MO, in 1950. He professed his first vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate in 1953 and was ordained a priest in 1958.
Already as a child, he wanted to be a missionary in the Far North. His wish was granted when his first priestly assignment was to Greenland and Denmark where he served for a total of 14 years. In the middle of those 14 years, he joined the United States Army as a chaplain for 7 years. He began his military service in Vietnam, where he was awarded a bronze star with two oak leaf clusters, followed by assignments in Korea and Germany. Father Tom returned to Greenland for 7 more years and then returned to the Army for 14 more years, serving in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Korea, Washington, Germany, and finally, Texas. Upon finishing his military service in 1993 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he became pastor of parishes in Leadville, Colorado and Cordoba, Alaska. In 2020, he retired to St. Henry’s Oblate Residence in Belleville. For several years he served as weekend celebrant at Catholic parishes in Marydale and Beaver Prairie, IL.
Fr. Killeen was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings, John Killeen and Shirley Killeen, his niece, Kathleen Killeen, and a great-niece, Bella Posovich. Mourning his passing are 21 nieces and nephews spanning three generations and about 3300 Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate serving in 60 countries.
In lieu of flowers, memorial 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.
Funeral: A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville.
Fr. Thomas donated his remains to the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
Renner Funeral Home
