The Rev. Kenneth Eugene Brockel

The Rev. Kenneth Eugene Brockel, 65, of Perry, died Wednesday, January 23, 2002 at the Jeanne Jugan Center, Little Sisters of the Poor in Kansas City, Missouri. Fr. Brockel was born October 10, 1936 in St. Louis, the son of Frank and Lillian Damen Brockel. Survivors include two sisters, Blanch Wynne and Rose Mary Davidson, both of St. Louis; and a brother, Frank Brockel, Swansea, Illinois. Fr. Brockel served from 1969-1970 as Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Columbia, and at Blessed Sacrament (now Holy Family) Catholic Church in Hannibal; 1970-1971 as Newman Chaplain at Lincoln University, Jefferson City; 1970-1972 as Religion Instructor at Helias High School, Jefferson City; 1970-1972 as Associate Pastor at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Wardsville and St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Church in Osage Bend; 1972-1973 as Associate Pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Boonville; 1973 serving on temporary assignment with St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City; 1973-1977 as pastor of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Chamois, and Assumption Catholic Church in Morrison; 1977-1985 as pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pilot Grove; 1985-1988 as pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rich Fountain; and 1988-2002 as pastor of Saint William Catholic Church in Perry, and St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Paris. Known for his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, from 1997 to the present Fr. Brockel served as a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He served as the Spiritual Moderator of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women in 1981 and as Dean of the Hannibal Deanery from 1996 to 1998. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Jefferson City. The Most Reverend John R. Gaydos will preside, with the Most Reverend Michael F. McAuliffe and other attending priests concelebrating. Additional Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon on Saturday at St. William Catholic Church in Perry. The Most Reverend Michael F. McAuliffe will preside. Burial will follow the Mass in Perry on Saturday at St. Paul Historical Shrine in rural Center, Missouri. Visitation will be 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Friday at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Jefferson City. Additional visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at St. William Catholic Church in Perry, with a prayer service at 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul Historical Church, P.O. Box 339, Perry, MO 63462. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home, Jefferson City, is in charge of arrangements. He was a U.S. Army veteran during the 1950's serving in Wurtsburg, Germany. Fr. Brockel attended St. Joseph Home for Boys and graduated from McBride High School in St. Louis. In 1961 he entered Conception Seminary, Conception, Missouri, to prepare for service in the Diocese of Jefferson City. He was the first priest ordained at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Jefferson City on May 24, 1969 by Bishop Joseph M. Marling, C.PP.S.