Michael Greb, OFM Cap., 1958-2023
Livestreaming of the wake service and Funeral liturgy appear below
Our Capuchin confrere Mike Greb, OFM Cap., 65, passed to the Lord's eternal life on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA.
One of seven children, our brother Michael Greb was born to parents Ralph and Dorothy (Koeper) Greb on August 8, 1958, in Pittsburgh, PA. He was proud of his parish Church in Castle Shannon, St. Anne Parish, and of its pastor Charles Owen Rice, a writer and American Labor activist. Mike was even highlighted in historian Sam Sciullo Jr.’s book, Castle Shannon, in the Images of America series. In the caption of the photo, Mr. Sciullo wrote:
As a teenager in Castle Shannon, Michael Greb loved baseball. But when he realized he probably was not going to replace Roberto Clemente as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ next great right fielder, his career path took him in a much different direction. The 1976 graduate of Keystone Oaks High School, who also attended St. Anne School, became Father Greb when he was ordained in 1989 by Bishop Donald Wuerl. Father Greb recalled his roots when asked to consider his influences during a 2012 interview. “I do realize that so many of the values of faith and family, care for people and good citizenship were born in Castle Shannon,” he said.“ I have always been proud of my hometown and the people. Our parish of St. Anne’s will always he where I came to love my Catholic faith and where I discovered my pathway of service and religious life."
Gervase Degenhardt, OFM Cap. 1931-2023
Our brother Gervase Degenhardt, OFM Cap., passed to the Lord’s eternal life at our Provincial motherhouse, St. Augustine Friary, in Pittsburgh, PA, on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. He was 91. He had been suffering weakness in the past few months and growing increasingly frustrated that the Lord was delaying the moment when he could be freed from the weakness of Brother Body.
Francis Degenhardt was the fourth of eight children born to Martin and Pauline (Leiker) Degenhardt in Antonino, KS, on December 28, 1931. As a child, he recalled flowers growing around his home and his parents tending a vegetable garden. His interest in horticulture began! Walking to St. Joseph Grade School in nearby Hays, KS, he noticed flowers and shrubs thriving in yards along the way.
Benjamin Madden, OFM Cap., 1933-2023
Our brother Benjamin Madden, OFM Cap., made his transitus to the Lord's eternal life on Friday, July 14, 2023 , at our motherhouse, St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh, PA. Ben had been in declining health this past year and found it more and more difficult to maneuver life on his own. Still, given Ben's tenacity, and his desire never to be a bother to anyone, it's unsurprising that his passing was solitary; he didn't bother anyone.
He was born Francis Madden March 10, 1933. His parents, Louis and Clara (Helmstetter) Madden lived in Cumberland, MD, and they were parishioners of SS. Peter & Paul Church where the Capuchins had a large fraternity of young and older friars who were familiar faces as Francis was growing up.
Robert L. McCreary, OFM Cap., 1933-2023
Our brother Robert L. McCreary, OFM Cap., died at St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. He was 89. Born on November 23, 1933 to Thomas and Cecelia (Wehrle) McCreary, he was baptized in his home parish of St. John the Baptist in Monaca, PA. Robert attended public schools until entering St. Vincent Prep High School in Latrobe, PA. He transferred to St. Fidelis College Seminary in Herman, PA, in 1951.
Robert entered the Capuchin Order in 1953, was given the name Conan, and professed vows on July 14, 1954. He made his perpetual profession in 1957 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1959. He returned to his baptismal name when permitted to do so in 1968, and friars always called him Bob.
Bob earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of America in 1961. He pursued theological studies in Christology and Spiritual Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome and was awarded a Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1963.
Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., 1944-2023
View the video of our Prayer Vigil & Funeral Mass for our brother
Our brother Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., died from complications related to Parkinsons Disease at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, on Thursday, January 12, 2023. He was 78.
Born to Glen and Bertha (Micek) Williams on March 18, 1944 in Atwood. KS, he was given the name Patrick at his baptism at Sacred Heart Church and attended Sacred Heart Grade School in Atwood before entering St. Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, KS, administrated and staffed by our Capuchin friars. In 1962, he entered St. Fidelis College Seminary in Herman, PA.