Msgr. Don Fitzpatrick

PEORIA — Msgr. Don J. Fitzpatrick, 78, of Peoria died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, while traveling in Italy.

He was born Jan. 8, 1934, in Spring Valley to Raymond J. and Rose Veronica Donnelly Fitzpatrick. He was ordained May 26, 1963.

Msgr. Don served many parishes in the Peoria Diocese. Some of his assignments included pastor of St. Bernard’s in Bushnell, pastor of St. John’s in Galva, chaplain of St. Mary’s Medical Center in Galesburg and pastor of St. Anthony’s in Atkinson. He was chaplain to His Holiness in 2003, and received senior priest status in 2009. He was currently serving St. Augustine Manor, of where he made his home. Msgr. Don graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in agriculture.

He was a member of the Kiwanis Club in Peoria, 3rd degree Spalding Council #427, and a 4th Degree Spalding Assembly #206. Msgr. Don served in the U.S. Army during peacetime.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Raymond, Francis and Mary Eileen Fitzpatrick Crock.

He is survived by his sister, Ramona Fitzpatrick Eidenmiller, as well as the children of Francis, Marissa Carter, Jane (Tom) Burke, James (Jeanne) Fitzpatrick, Raymond Fitzpatrick and wife Nancy Utley, and Irene Colleen Boltz. Mary Eileen’s children include, Rosemary Crock and husband Linden Appel, Jo Ann Crock, James (Marlene) Crock and John (Kelley) Crock. Msgr. is also survived by numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at The Cathedral of St. Mary of The Immaculate Conception with Msgr. Paul Showalter officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Peoria.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the Cathedral.

Memorials may be made to St. Augustine Manor, 1301 N.E. Glendale Ave., Peoria, IL 61603.

The Wright & Salmon Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.