Sister Mary Paul Pfautsch, O.S.F., 83, eldest child of the late Hugo and Hilda (Apprill) Pfautsch of Hermann, Mo., died March 5, 2013, at Sacred Heart Convent in Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines. She had recently celebrated 65 years of religious life and 50 years of mission work in the Philippines.
The former Lois Jean Pfautsch was born Sept. 19, 1929, in Hermann. After graduating from Hermann High School, she entered the convent of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, Mishawaka, Ind., on Feb. 2, 1948. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from St. Francis University, Fort Wayne, Ind.
After teaching at schools in Indiana and Illinois, in 1962 she was one of four pioneering American sisters called to start the O.S.F. community on the island of Leyte in the southern Philippines. Over the next five decades, the community grew to more than 130 Filipino sisters with many schools and convents and an extensive health ministry.
Sister Mary Paul was appointed as the local superior in the Philippines in 1969, regional superior in 1976, and provincial superior in 1993. From 1970-76, she served as director of the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception in Baybay. In her various leadership roles, she frequently represented her province at meetings in the U.S. and Germany. A teacher, principal and guidance counselor, she also supervised the construction and maintenance of many of the community’s facilities in the Philippines, most recently a retirement home for sisters. Among her many interests, she enjoyed giving piano lessons to students and had a special love for animals.
She was preceded in death by her parents in 1989 and an infant sister, Gerianne, in 1952. Surviving are four sisters and two brothers: Eleanor Bode of Holt’s Summit, Mo., Bernice Shea of Ballwin, Mo., Carol Clifton of Hazelwood, Mo., Joan Devine of St. Charles, Mo., Ronald Pfautsch of Morton, Ill., and Larry Pfautsch of Harrisonville, Mo.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
The funeral mass and celebration of her life of service to God was held March 9 in Baybay, followed by burial in the Sisters Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Sacred Heart Convent, 6521 Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines, in care of Sister Emilie Igano, O.S.F.
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Robert Eugene Burns, 74, of Owensville passed away Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Frene Valley Healthcare South in Owensville.
Robert was born in Bay on February 24, 1939 to the late Robert and Ethel (Branson) Burns. He had served his country with the United States Army.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Burns.
He is survived by his sister, Rose Limberg of Hermann.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 9, at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville with Rev. Terry Knight officiating. Burial was in the Giedinghagen Cemetery near Mt. Sterling.
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