The Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Wilbers, KCHS
June 12, 1946 ~ September 19, 2023
The Reverend Monsignor Michael Joseph Wilbers, KCHS, age 77, retired priest of the Diocese of Jefferson City, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Heisinger Bluffs in Jefferson City.
Msgr. Wilbers was born on June 12, 1946, in Jefferson City, the son of the late Fred Louis and Julietta Elizabeth (Schwartze) Wilbers.
He attended St. Peter’s Grade School, Jefferson City; St. Thomas Aquinas High School Seminary, Hannibal; and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Conception, Missouri. He was ordained a deacon at St. Pius X Church, Moberly.
He was ordained a priest on February 26, 1972, at St. Peter Catholic Church, Jefferson City, by the Most Reverend Michael F. McAuliffe, Bishop of Jefferson City.
His pastoral assignments included: Associate Director, Diocesan Office of Religious Education and Associate Pastor of St. Pius X Church, Moberly, appointed March 13, 1972 until July 1974; Director, Diocesan Office of Religious Education, appointed July 1974 to August, 1981; Pastor, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, St. Thomas, appointed August 24, 1979; Chancellor of the Diocese, appointed June 1, 1981 until August 15, 1989; Vicar General of the Diocese, appointed January 3,1988 - Bishop John R. Gaydos reconfirmed him as Vicar General on September 9, 1997 and he served until July 1, 2002; Rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, appointed June 21, 1989-June 20, 1999; Canonical Pastor, St. Michael Church, Russellville, from 1991-1998; Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church, Lake Ozark, appointed June 30, 1999; Vicar for Administration, appointed September 9, 1999-February 1, 2013; Episcopal Vicar of the South, appointed July 1, 2002; and retired from active ministry on December 31, 2013.
Bishop McAuliffe nominated Father Wilbers as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 1990. Monsignor Wilbers held the rank of Knight Commander (KCHS) at the time of his death. On February 14, 2000, Bishop Gaydos announced that Pope John Paul II had bestowed the title of Prelate of Honor to His Holiness on Monsignor Wilbers.
Monsignor Wilbers also served as a member of the Education Department of the Missouri Catholic Conference from 1974-1981. He was a Priest Observer at the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference of Bishops General Meeting of November 10-13, 1986. He was a member of the Diocesan Lay Retirement Committee from 1981-1/31/13, an ex-officio member of the Priests Senate from 1981-1998 and the Presbyteral Council from 1998-2013, and a founding member of the Diocesan Excellence in Education Fund Board of Directors from 1989-January 31, 2013.
As Chancellor, beginning in 1981, he was a member of the College of Consultors, Priests’ Personnel Board, Diocesan Finance Committee, Archivist, Administrative Committee for the Diocesan Pastoral Committee and Priests Senate. Monsignor Wilbers served as Finance Officer from 1983-1990. Beginning in 1988 as Vicar General, he continued as a member of the College of Consultors, Priests’ Personnel Board, Diocesan Finance Committee and Priests Senate.
Monsignor Wilbers also worked with the DPC Education and Administration Commissions 1974-97; Education Dept. of MCC 1974-81; Diocesan Chancellor 1981-8/89; Diocesan Finance Committee 1981 to 12-31-13; Priests’ Mutual Benefit Society 1981 to 12-31-13; Priests’ Senate 1981-5/98; College of Consultors 1983-12/31/13; Priests’ Personnel Board 3/98-12/31/13; Presbyteral Council 5/98 to 12-31-13; Episcopal Vicar of the South 7/1/02-12/31/13; Vicar for Administration 6/25/03-1/31/13; Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City Corporation 2008-1/31/13; Diocese of Jefferson City Real Estate Corporation 2008-1/31/13; Diocese of Jefferson City Jubilee Fund 9/30/07-1/31/13; and the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City Fund 2006-12/31/13.
Monsignor Wilbers celebrated his 25th Anniversary of Holy Priesthood on March 2, 1997, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City. He celebrated his 40th Anniversary of Holy Priesthood at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Lake Ozark with the parish family and friends on February 26, 2012. He celebrated his 50th Anniversary with Bishop McKnight presenting him with a Papal Blessing from Pope Francis on February 27, 2023.
Monsignor Wilbers accompanied the Bishops of Jefferson City on two Ad Limina visits to Rome in 1998 and 2004 to meet with Pope St. John Paul II.
Survivors include his two sisters, Mary Helen Norfleet, Jefferson City; Julie (Dan) Wieberg, Jefferson City; four nephews and one niece, Eric (Wendy) Norfleet, Matt (Rebecca) Norfleet, Chris (Shelly) Wieberg, Kyle (Jessi) Wieberg, Laura (Jeff) Kempker; six great nephews and three great nieces, Brett Norfleet, Aaron Norfleet, Noah Wieberg, Zachary Wieberg, Luke Wieberg, Cole Wieberg, Holly Wieberg, Claire Kempker, Elise Kempker; and his brother priests.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Frederick Wilbers and David Wilbers.
Visitation will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church, Jefferson City, Missouri, on Sunday, September 24, 2023, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6:00 pm. presided by Very Reverend Christopher C. Cordes, Vicar for Priests. There will be an additional visitation at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City, Missouri on Monday, September 25, 2023, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m.
The concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City, Missouri. Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City and Most Reverend John R. Gaydos, Bishop Emeritus of Jefferson City will preside, and Reverend Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, Vicar General will be the homilist.
Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of all flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Priests Mutual Benefit Society (PMBS), Diocesan Excellence in Education Fund (DEEF), or School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND).
Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com
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Rest in peace, Msgr. Wilbers. You were a good pastor for Our Lady of the Lake who baptized our son 16 years ago. God Bless you.
Msgr. Mike,
You were a good friend in the seminary I valued your friendship. You became a Vicar General of your Diocese as did I. We had parallel ministries. I will celebrate a Mass for you. May you rest in Peace and rest from your labors.
Msgr. Joe Bixenman
Amarillo Texas
so sorry for your loss, it was a honor caring for him in his final days
Tootsie Purdy
My thoughts and prayers to his family especially Julie and Mary Helen who have been devoted siblings assisting in his care for the last several years at Heisinger Bluffs. I know it is hard to lose a family member, but find some comfort in that he is now reaping his rewards in Heaven for a life well lived and comfortable and at peace. I have been gone from Heisinger for 6 months now, but know that I have continued to keep him and the other residents in my daily prayers. I did always enjoy assisting with his care, and knew in his own little way he was grateful for the help of others. May he Rest In Peace!! My sincere sympathy
Dear Mary Helen and all of the family of Monsignor Wilburs, sending prayers for Monsignor Wilburs and that God will comfort you. May Monsignor rest in peace.
Well done, good and faithful servant. Wonderful friend and classmate, we shared roots SW Missouri and SE Kansas.
Jesus is Alive!
Msgr. Wilbers(Fr. Mike), you were a wonderful, caring and compassionate priest and a friend to my parents and family. Mary Helen and Julie, may God comfort you and all his family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May he rest rest in the peace of Christ.
Mike was a classmate in College and since we both worked in our Chanceries we exchanged a few phone calls over the years. He was a great priest. My prayers.
Dear Mary Helen and Julie, Sorry for your loss. Will remember you in our prayers.
Monsignor was a most trusted spiritual guiding light and a trusted friend that I will miss dearly. Mary Helen and Julie, may God comfort you and your families, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May he rest in the peace.
Julie and Mary Helen,
Our sincere sympathy on the passing of Mike to eternal life. He was supportive of our work in Peru and helpful with the many tasks that were needed with the mission office. May the Nino de San Salvador de Capachica lead him to paradise. Love and prayers, Jim Nate Niemeyer and Carmen.