Fr. Michael J. Bies Obituary (1955 - 2010)

ODELL -- The Rev. Michael J. Bies, 54, Odell, died Thursday (Dec. 16, 2010) at his residence at the rectory of St. Paul Catholic Church, Odell, after a brave battle with cancer. A Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul Catholic Church, Odell. Principal celebrant will be Bishop Daniel J. Jenky, CSC. A graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at the church. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Odell, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Catholic Grade School or St. Paul Catholic Church, Odell. He was born Dec. 17, 1955, in Chicago, son of Michael J. and Elizabeth T. Wiedemann Bies Sr. Surviving are cousins, Patricia Wiedemann, Harwood Heights; Michelle Nolan-Wiedemann, Lake Como, Wis.; Gene (MaryAnn) Bies; Ronald Bies; Leonard Bies; and Richard Scheelk, Villa Park. He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant brother, Michael; and two brothers, Steven and Robert Bies. He was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus and member of the Militia Immaculata of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Father Michael was a graduate of St. Clement's Grade School and a graduate of Roosevelt High School in Chicago. He then worked as a machinist for MagnaFlux in Harwood Heights in Chicago. He was a graduate of St. Louis University with a BA degree in philosophy. He then went on to Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis where he studied for the priesthood. He attended St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Chicago for many years as his home parish. He was a member of the Congregation of the Resurrection for three years, and thereafter transferred to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria in Illinois, where he was ordained and incardinated as priest in 2004. His first assignment was to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pontiac, where he was associate pastor for five years. His next assignment sent him to St. Malachy's Catholic Church, Rantoul, for a period of one year. He was later transferred to St. Paul Catholic Church in Odell, and Sacred Heart Church, Campus, where he was currently pastor for both churches and St. Paul Catholic Grade School, Odell. Father Michael loved his people and inspired love in them for him in return.