Reverend Francis W. Voellmecke died on Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on October 6, 1935, in Cincinnati. He did his preparatory studies for two years at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati and received a Ph.B. and S.T.L. from Gregorian University, Rome. He was ordained on December 20, 1959, at the Chapel of the North American College in Rome by Archbishop Martin J. O’Connor, Rector of the North American College & Titular Archbishop of Laodicea in Syria.
Father Voellmecke was appointed to his first assignment on August 31, 1960, as assistant at Holy Family Parish, Cincinnati and part-time teacher at Seton High School, Cincinnati. On August 29, 1963, he was appointed as assistant at St. Dominic Parish, Cincinnati and to continue teaching part-time at Seton. On August 9, 1966, he was appointed assistant at St. William Parish, Cincinnati and to teach full-time at Seton. In August 1969, Father Voellmecke was assigned to further studies at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana where he achieved a Ph.D. in Philosophy. On June 20, 1973, he was appointed to the faculty at St. Gregory Seminary and on June 7, 1974, he was appointed as Rector of the Seminary. On August 1, 1980, Father Voellmecke was released from service in the Archdiocese in order to serve on the faculty of the Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. In December 1988, Father Voellmecke was granted permission to serve for five years in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah and in July 1989, he was released to serve as Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and Newman Center in Logan, Utah. In December 1993, his leave for service to the Diocese of Salt Lake City was extended for one more year. On August 12, 1995, he was appointed resident associate at Our Lord Christ the King Parish, Cincinnati. On June 1, 1996, he was appointed pastor of Old St. Mary Parish, Cincinnati, for a period of six years. Father Voellmecke was appointed to the faculty of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary/Athenaeum of Ohio, Cincinnati on August 3, 1998. He was appointed Temporary Parochial Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Reading, effective June 25, 2001, while remaining on the seminary faculty. Father Voellmecke retired from active ministry on July 1, 2010.
Reception of the Body: Monday, May 23, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at St. William Church, 4108 W. 8th St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45205; (513-921-0247.) Celebrant: Reverend Jeffrey M. Kemper. Visitation: following Reception of the Body until 8:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. William Church. Celebrant and Homilist: Reverend Edward P. Smith.
Burial: Tuesday, May 24, 2022, immediately following at St. Joseph (Old) Cemetery, 3819 W. 8th St. at Seton Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45205. Celebrant: Reverend Edward P. Smith.
