Father Joseph Felker died Sunday night, December 3, 2017. Fr. Joe was recently diagnosed with an aggressive pancreatic cancer and died in the health center of Altavita Village, formerly known as Air Force Village West.

He was born April 10, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois to Edward and Marie (Gerdeman) Felker. He graduated with a B.A. from Creighton University in Omaha in 1968 and with a M.Div. from the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio. Fr. Joe also earned a M.A. in Education from St. Thomas College in 1974. He was ordained a priest in 1973. He served in St. Paul Archdiocesan Education Center and various parishes in Minnesota until 1989, when he arranged to transfer to Diocese of San Bernardino to be near his aged parents, who then lived in Hemet.

He served as Associate Pastor in Montclair and later as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Redlands,(now Holy Name of Jesus). In 2000 he was appointed Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Riverside and served until 2013, when he retired due to failing health.

He is survived by his niece, Tina Pertle and nephew, Tony Pertle, both residents of Tulare, California.

The funeral mass for Fr. Joseph Felker will be celebrated on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, by Father Ed Cardoza, priest friend for many years. Interment will be later at the Felker Family Plot, San Jacinto Valley Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Akes Family Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Bulletin on Dec. 10, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Felker

Sponsored by Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

13 Entries

Leslie Peralta

December 4, 2020

On this anniversary of your going home to Heaven, you are still so missed and never forgotten. Father, your wit and reassuring messages about coping with daily life stresses and anxiety is something I still carry with me for strength. Thank you. Miss you.

Brian Lynch

March 5, 2018

If it not for Father Joe, I would not be alive today. The most unselfish and helpful man I have ever had the honor to know. God Love you Father Joe, you are missed everyday.

B.T. Lynch

Delia David

January 14, 2018

Rest in peace, Father. Will miss your jokes during the homily.

Kathleen Bierne

December 26, 2017

I worked with Fr. Joe in the Archdiocese of St. Paul from 1981-1986. He was my supervisor and became my friend as well as a co-worker. He did not ask any of us to do what he did not do himself when we were serving the parishes. The only thing we did not agree on was when his "puns" could have been left at the door!!! :) I am grateful for knowing Joe and sorry that my Christmas greetings did not get there before he died. I am quite certain he has them now. S. Kathleen Bierne, pbvm

Jen Rothenbuehler

December 22, 2017

Such a wonderful man. I always enjoyed our visits! He was such a good friend to the Presentation Sisters and will be deeply missed!

December 17, 2017

To my good friend,

We had over 40 years of friendship from your days in Minnesota to your final days in California. So many memories - road trips, dinners, laughter - i never thought it would end this soon.

Now you've taken your final trip without me, but I look forward to seeing you again.

Don Blake

Judy Schuelke

December 16, 2017

Fr. Joe, our dear friend who loved and supported our family. A very special man. I was privileged to be Joe's administrative assistant at the Catholic Education Center of the St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdoocese. Rest In Peace, Dear Fr. Joe.
Judy and Dave Schuelke
St. Paul, Minnesota

Tim Wilbur

December 15, 2017

Thank you Father Joe for all you did during Molly's passing.
Timothy J Wilbur

December 14, 2017

I was truly blessed to serve with Fr. Joe, my brother priest. He was not just a good priest, but a great priest and pastor who was loved by his parishioners both in Redlands and Riverside. He set the bar high for the rest of us, but always kept us laughing and at ease. Joe, we will miss you!
--Fr. Francis Lowe

Linda Buckert

December 12, 2017

My condolences to the family. He was one of my favorite priests. I loved his jokes and he was so personable. May he rest in peace with the Lord.

L. Peralta

December 11, 2017

I was stunned to hear of Fr. Joe's passing. I moved here from the Bay Area in 2011 and found and immediately felt at home at St. Thomas with him. I loved Fr. Joe's positivity and energy. He was truly unique and special, and the parish was fortunate indeed to have him. I can still see him after mass, heading to the entry area to personally greet and shake the hands of all in attendance. Father, Godspeed. You will surely be missed. But we are comforted in the fact that our Lord called you home, and that home with the Lord as his faithful servant is where you are. I know I speak for other parishioners as well when I say we love you.

December 10, 2017

You are now in the arms of our Lord. Thank you for the beautiful job you did for my mother, Virginia Wurth's funeral 3 years ago. It was as if we were all related. Thank you Father and so sorry to learn of your passing. Debbie & Gary DeVinna

Ron and Nancy Gerdeman

December 9, 2017

Father Joe on his Mom's side came from a family known as GERDS. Father Joe when young would come in from Chicago to see his grand mother and play with my brother and me. The farm also had a dairy which was called Gerdeman dairy in Ottawa, Ohio. The last 20 years we started visiting Joe and his Dad. We always had a great time with Joe. But now he is in heaven with his Mom,Dad, and sister. I'll miss his phone calls forever.God be blest. Tina and Tony I am sorry for your loss. Ron and Nancy Gerdeman a

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