Father Francis Edward Balestrieri

March 12, 1931 - September 10, 2012

Father Francis Edward Balestrieri, age 81, of Herrin, IL, passed away at 2:15 a.m., on Monday, September 10, 2012, at Shawnee Christian Nursing Center, Herrin, following a lengthy illness. He was born on Thursday, March 12, 1931, in Bristol, PA, the son of Natale and Philomena (Gilardi) Balestrieri. He was ordained as a priest in the Order of the Most Holy Trinity on June 6, 1959. He served as pastor of several parishes and also as a prison chaplain in New Jersey before coming to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, IL, in 1978. After he left St. Joseph, he served as a priest of the Belleville (IL) Diocese, ministering to churches in a number of communities in Southern Illinois. Father Balestrieri is survived by two sisters and brother-in-law, Ninfa Migliori, Broomall, PA, and Jennie (Joseph) Maruca, Trenton, NJ, many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and many friends in the various parishes where he served. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Vincent Balestrieri, and brother-in-law, Samuel Migliori. Arrangements for Father Francis Edward Balestrieri were entrusted to the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, of Marion, IL. A memorial Mass was at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 15, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 600 N. Russell St., Marion, IL. The Principal Celebrant was Bishop Stanley G. Schlarman (Ret.). Those attending the service gathered at the church prior to 11:00 a.m. For those who preferred, memorial contributions were made for Masses or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Memorial contribution envelopes were available at the church and funeral home or were mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959. For additional information please contact the funeral home by calling 618-993-2131.