Fr. Theodosius Anthony Schelich, 84, of Springfield, former Chaplain of HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, passed away on Wed., Aug. 31, 2016 at 12:55 p.m. in St. Francis Convent in Springfield. He was born on July 18, 1932, in Washington, MO, a son of Frank and Mary (Whalen) Schelich.
He attended 8 years of grade school at St. Francis Borgia Catholic School in Washington, MO. He continued his 4 year high school education at St. Joseph Seminary in Westmont near Chicago along with 2 years of college. He spent the following year learning about the Franciscan habit and the vows of priesthood. His next 3 years were spent studying philosophy in Cleveland, OH, followed by another 3 years in theology in Teutopolis, IL.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and education and his master’s degree in theology. He was ordained as a priest on June 24, 1959. Fr. Ted’s first assignment was serving as assistant pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Oakville, MO from 1959-1964; Asst. Chaplin at Jefferson Barracks VA Hospital from 1959-1960; Sacred Heart Parish in Indianapolis, IN from 1965-1970; returned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Oakville, MO from 1970-1976 where he was the head pastor; served as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor at the Hyland Center in St. Louis, MO; became Chaplain of St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield and served for 23 years from 1989-2013.
As Chaplain, he made rounds visiting patients, offered prayer and consolation to grieving families, held daily mass at the hospital chapel, presided over funeral services, led grief support meetings in the community and was always ready to help others in any way he could. He was well loved by his hospital family and members of the community and his presence is greatly missed.
Fr. Ted was the last of his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Vincent Schelich and James Schelich; and two sisters, Rita Brockhaus and Agnes Lampe.
Local visitation will be held Tues., Sept. 6, 2016 from 4 until 7 p.m. in HSHS St. Francis Hospital Chapel in Litchfield. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wed., Sept. 7, 2016 at 10 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in St. Louis, 3140 Meramec St., St. Louis, MO, 63118. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until time of Mass. Burial will be in Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, 7030 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63116. .
Memorials may be directed to Retirement Fund – Sacred Heart Province, 3140 Meramec St., St. Louis, MO 63118.
Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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