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Harry Stout Obituary
Fr. Harry Thomas Stout Jr., 58, of Du Quoin, Ill., born Aug. 9, 1951, at Cairo, Ill., passed away at 8:15 A.M., Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at his residence.
Fr. Tom's grade school was at St. Joseph's School in Cairo, Ill. His high school was Preparatory Seminary at Belleville, Ill. He got his college degree from Quincy College and his theologian school was at St. Meinrad School of Theology. He was ordained as a priest on May 28, 1977. The Parishes he had served in were the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville, Ill., Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin, Ill., St. Clare Catholic Church at O'Fallon, Ill., St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at Waterloo, Ill., St. Joseph Catholic Church at Ridgeway, Ill., St. John The Baptist Catholic Church at Red Bud, Ill., and Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Du Quoin, Ill. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th degree. He had been a Diocesan CYO moderator, a vocation director, and a diocesan spiritual director of the TEC Program. He was a member of the Priest Senate. He had been a dean of the West Deanery. He was on the personnel board.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Thomas and Sarah Ann, nee Baudino, Stout.
Surviving are his five brothers and sisters, Mary Helen (Jeff) Wissinger of Cairo, Ill., Nan (Tom) Hall of Centralia, Ill., John (Carol) Stout of Mounds, Ill., Bill (Sheila) Stout of Olmsted, Ill., and Peggy Berryhill of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; two aunts, Elizabeth (Don) Turner of Cairo, Ill., and Mary Eileen (Dick) Karcher Cairo, Ill.; one uncle, Brother John Stout CSC of Notre Dame, Ind.; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Memorials may be made to the donors choice of Fr. Tom's Parishes or home Parish or the TEC Program. For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from noon to 1 p.m. on Sunday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in DuQuoin, Ill.
Friends may also call from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo, Ill.
Funeral: Memorial Mass will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin with Father Bob Flannery officiating.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo with Bishop Stanley Schlarmann officiating. Final Commendations will be by Bishop Edward K. Braxton. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge, Ill.
SEARBY FUNERAL HOME, Du Quoin, Ill.
BARKETT FUNERAL HOME, Cairo, Ill.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harry Stout
Sarah Doiron
September 30, 2009
I feel like I have never known a priest as well or been as close as I have to Fr. Tom. I am 23 years old, and 13 of those 23 years was with Fr. Tom at St. John's in Red Bud. I always felt I could talk to him about anything, and he always had such a great interest in what was happening in my life as I continued through St. John's, high school, and college. He had such a wonderful heart and compassion for people. As I begin to plan my wedding, I am saddened that he will not be there, but I know in my heart he will be there in spirit. I offer my deepest sympathies to his family.
Neil Dietz
September 25, 2009
Tom Stout was our Prefect during my freshman year at St. Henry's in Belleville. He had the room next to mine in the dorm. He had a rare talent among prefects to keep our youthful teenage exubrerance from running amok and still keep a sense of humor about life. 'Not a small talent since he helped "shepard" a class of 70+ freshmen high school boys. My condolences to his family, but thank you so much for sharing him with us...
Judith Stout
September 23, 2009
I knew Father Tom when we were children--he was my first cousin and one year older. I remember him as a kind, gentle, intelligent boy. After moving to California 32 years ago, I did not see him again until he officiated at my dad's funeral in 2000. I was so grateful to him for the many kind words he spoke that day of the funeral. My most sincere condolences to his immediate family, friends and colleagues.
September 22, 2009
My prayers sympathy to the Family and Friends of Fr. Tom Stout. I was a classmatte of Tom at St. Meinrad School of Theology. Tom was a good friend and a solid priest. His friendly diposition was inviting and comforting. His smile and enthusiam for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus will be missed.
Peace & Prayers,
Fr. David Tscherne
Diocese of Toledo, Ohio
St. Patrick Parish-Providence
Alan & Michelle Hucke
September 21, 2009
Fr. Tom,
It seems like just yesterday we were playing on the same team at the trivia night @ St. Mary's.
We got to know you through the TEC and Quest Programs. We appreciated your easy going attitude and your kindness.
You will truly be missed by all the lives you have touched.
To the Stout Family:
We will always keep Fr. Tom in our minds and hearts. Let the type of life that Fr. Tom lived be your strength and peace.
Robert & Edith Besher
September 21, 2009
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
September 21, 2009
Where do I even begin. Fr. Tom was so much to our family. He was in Red Bud from the time I joined the church to the time my husband became Catholic, he baptized all 3 of our sons, he was literally part of our family. He was already so greatly missed when he left St. John's but, now the missing is different but, we know he is in heaven watching down on all of us and also on the Cardinals as many others have said. My oldest son who is 6 was just sitting here holding a Gateway Grizzlie's hat that Father had given him when we were at the Grizzlie's game last year and I asked him what he was doing with it and he said he was just thinking of Father Tom and he said he just prayed that Father was able to watch the Cardinals play every night from heaven because he liked them so much. He even had such a great impact on the kids that shows how great of a person he was and will continue to be in heaven.
John Helm
September 21, 2009
I was suprised and saddened to hear of Father Tom's death. I was a classmate of Fr. Tom's at St. Meinrad. We spent many hours together in the classroom, in the dining hall, and on the basketball court. Tom had unfailing good spirits. He was a friend to all and had a terrific jump shot. Although it has been a number of years since I last saw Tom, I feel we would have taken up right where we left on whenever I would see him. My prayers are with his family, friends and parishioners.
John Helm
Louisville, KY
St Meinrad class of 1977
Will (Junior) Miller
September 21, 2009
I grew up in Cairo with Fr Tom and knew the Stout family well. I remember him as a good friend and an avid sports fan. He often coached summer baseball in Cairo during his spare time and I had the pleasure of playing for Fr Tom on more than one occasion.
I offer my condolences to the Stout family in this time of loss. Fr Tom will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered, by those of us who had the pleasure of knowing him.
David Strong
September 21, 2009
Father Tom is from my home parish and was the first ordination of a priest that I witnessed. He was a happy priest and good man. I offering my prayers for his family and wish I could be at Saint Patrick's to celebrate his life.
Rest in Peace,
David Strong
Elsa Boysha
September 20, 2009
Fr. Tom, you will certainly be missed by many, especially our youth that learned so much of their faith from you. Thank you, and may perpetual light shine upon you.
Former Gibault faculty, Elsa Boysha
Blessings and prayers to the Stout Family!
Shawn Malone
September 20, 2009
Father Stout, with the help of Father Jerome in Cahokia, help to mold me into the man I am today. Father Stout drove me to SJV in St. Paul MN. and helped me to enroll into the Seminary. I did not complete the training, but he helped me to realize and to see myself for who I was. I heard of Father's passing today in Mass and was reminded of the Man and great priest he is/was. My prayers are with his family and his friends.
Karen (Rasp) Wobbe
September 20, 2009
Father Tom Stout was such a wonderful man with the kindest voice and warmest smile. I met him on my first retreat (Quest #45) in April of 1987. Since then, I saw him as a pillar in the Quest and TEC communities. I could not stop the tears that were flowing from my eyes this morning at mass when the opening song at Holy Childhood was "I am the Bread of Life"... it was simply a sign from God. I know Fr. Tom is at peace now with the angels, but he will forever be missed.
Todd Burrell
September 20, 2009
Fr Tom will truly be missed by so many. He was such an inspirational individual, and a role model for so many including me. I am so fortunate to have the chance to get to know Fr Tom as well as learn from him. To his family, please know that Fr. Tom was a person who had and will continue to have a lasting impact on so many. And, now, the Cardinals will also have someone extra special watching over them.
Stephen Piotrowski
September 20, 2009
It was 41 years ago this month when Father Stout and I first met. Then, as he was now, was a young man full of smiles, laughter and a keen ability to sense the true person of the people he met.
It was a joy to have him here at Sacred Heart Parish in DuQuoin. We met every Saturday evening after Mass and discussed future plans with the youth, teenage and adult education; forming a youth choir, getting additional hymnals with songs he loved from his parish in Red Bud and future liturgy and parish improvements.
I so enjoyed discussing the theology behind his recommendations and we often brought up points to each other about scripture or theological ideas that neither of us had considered. I was so looking forward to continued growth spiritually with him.
Even at dinner on Saturday evenings at Alongi's Restaurant the conversation continued. His humility was captivating and one could not be in his presence without feeling the power of the Holy Spirit.
This August at the Parish Summer Religious Program Father Thomas was presented with a "Children of the Universe" stole; he smiled while looking upon it and cherished it saying, "It's one I don't have." The photo of him accepting it demonstrates the Child-Like God given Spirit he presented to us all. During the program the question came up about Jesus singing. To date he is the only priest I've known that knew where that was mentioned in scripture.
The angels and saints in heaven are going to love having him there.
God's Blessing upon his family.
Until we meet in heaven, may God comfort, strengthen and guide us in our lives.
Kathy Ghahkenshah
September 20, 2009
My sympathy to the family of Fr. Tom. He was such a warm and compassionate person.
Kathy Shubert
September 20, 2009
Fr Tom was definitely one of the "good ones". I so enjoyed working with him through CYO & Bridges. God so blessed your family and all of us who had the chance to work with him with a wonderful man. God Bless and be with you all at this time of your loss and remember that you now have one very special angel watching over you.
Marie Miller
September 19, 2009
Mary Helen, May God bless you and your many family members. I remember Father Tom as spiritual director on TEC weekends. Father Tom was a good priest; may God welcome him with open arms and blessed peace.
Sr. Mary shaw
September 19, 2009
May Fr. Tom , rest in peace and inthe Eternal presence of the GOD whom he served so well. Well done, good and faithful servant. Srs. Mary Shaw, asc and Theresa Marie Braun, ASC Quincy, Il
Patti Wagnitz
September 19, 2009
To the Stout Family, My prayers are with all of you. I shall always remember him as sharing many a TEC with me and my family. The Diocese has lost a treasure. May you find peace in the memories you shared with him.
Anthony Shelton And Family
September 19, 2009
To The Stout Family,Our prayers are with you in this time of need. May your memeories of Tom outweigh your sadness...he is on the wings of angels now with his spirit souring peacefully.
God Bless, and may Tom's memories help to ease the loss in some little way.
Charles and Bertie Zipfel
September 19, 2009
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Beth Williams-Anderson
September 19, 2009
"Fr. Tom, May the Lord grant you eternal peace. The Diocese of Belleville will never find a more compassionate leader and friend than you. It is good to know that the St. Louis Cardinals have another angel looking down upon them!!!"
September 19, 2009
Fr. Tom,
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Peace be with you.
Joe
Jon (O'Guinn)
September 19, 2009
Fr. Tom was a good man and a caring priest. I know he'll be missed by many. Well done, good and faithful servant!
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