Father Eugene A. Kreher

Father Albert E. Kreher was born June 1, 1938 near Piopolis, IL, to Joseph and Gertrude Birkner Kaufman Kreher.  He passed away at 9:00 AM, August 20, 2019 at St. Paul’s Home in Belleville, IL.   A member of the May 1, 1965 ordination class, Father Kreher first attended Piopolis School, McLeansboro Township High School and St. Henry's Seminary in Belleville.  He completed his priesthood education at St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, IN.

Fr. Kreher’s first assignments were as parochial vicar at St. Dominic, Breese, and Holy Family, Cahokia.  He has served as pastor at St. Anthony, Lively Grove; St. Anthony, Coulterville; St. Lawrence, Lawrenceville; and Immaculate Conception, Bridgeport.  While at Lawrenceville, Father Kreher was Chaplain for the Buffalo Trace Boy Scout Council.  From 1982-1990, he served as pastor of St. George in New Baden before becoming pastor of St. Agatha, New Athens from 1990-1995.  He served as pastor of Sf. Joseph’s in Prairie du Rocher from 1995-2007.  From 2008-2011, he was pastor at St. Mary's in Trenton.  Since his retirement he has resided at the Hincke-Sense Home Residence for Retired Priests.

Father has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1966, Charter Member of St. Lawrence Council #7549, and St. George Council #10311. He has been a 4th Degree member since 2008.

Survivor Siblings are Betty Rapp (Victor, deceased)of Dahlgren, IL, Lucille Auten (Richard)of McLeansboro, IL, Dorothy Heil (Melvin)of Dahlgren, IL, Rosanna Nice (Larry)of Dahlgren, IL, Paul Kreher (Donna)of New Baden, IL, Sister Catherine Kaufman, OSU of Maple Mount, KY.

Fr. Kreher is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family.                          

Preceded in death by Half siblings Susan Kaufman (John), Gertrude Kreher, Caroline Hilderbrandt (Lester), Roman Kreher (Jackie), Emery Kreher (Eunice), Ed Kreher (Louise), Agnes McBroom (Elgy), Nora McManus (Charles), Henry Kaufman (Pauline), Charles Kaufman, as well as Uncle Albert Birkner, (Baptism Sponsor), Uncle Philip Birkner, Uncle Albert Kreher, and Emma Frey (Baptism Sponsor).

The funeral will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Piopolis, IL at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, August 27th with Msgr. James Buerster, main celebrant.  The public visitation is from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Monday, August 26th at the church and before the funeral from 9:00 AM until the funeral hour.  There will be a Chalice Ceremony beginning at 10:00 AM led by the Breese Knights of Columbus Council #2869 where Fr. Kreher was a member.

Fr. Kreher requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Hincke-Sense Home for Retired Priests, 222 S. Third St., Belleville, IL 62220 or during the visitation at the church.

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