Sister Marie Vianney Trutter, OP

Sister Marie Vianney Trutter, OP, 79, of Springfield, died peacefully at 9:28 p.m. on April 27, 2006 at St. John’s Hospital. Sister Marie Vianney was born on February 4, 1927 in Staunton, the daughter of George and Marie Helen Diebold Trutter. She attended St. Isidore Grade School, Farmersville and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, Springfield in June 1945. She was accepted as a postulant (candidate) by the Springfield Dominican Sisters in July of 1945. She professed her vows in January of 1947. She earned her Bachelors Degree from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, IN and a Masters Degree in Religious Education from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI. Sister spent many summers earning certificates in religious studies. She earned her last certificate from University of Illinois in 2003, at the age of 76. Sister Marie Vianney has enjoyed a wide range of ministry experiences. She was the Director for the Springfield Dominican Associate Program for the past two years. She was appointed by the Bishop as Parish Life Coordinator at Immaculate Conception Parish, Shelbyville serving from 1995 to 2003. While at Immaculate Conception Parish, she directed the construction of the new parish church. From 1983 to 1995, Sister’s experiences included being the Pastoral Associate at Immaculate Conception Parish, Shelbyville religious education center and Director of Religious Education (DRE) in both St. Thomas, Crystal Lake and St. Jerome, Troy. In her earlier years of ministry, Sister Marie Vianney was a teacher and administrator in Catholic elementary schools. She was principal at St. Francis School in Jerseyville, IL for six years. She taught and administered in the Chicago area for nine years at St. Edwards, Chicago and St. Bernadette’s, Evergreen Park. She taught and administered as a principal and teacher out of state for eleven years at Sacred Heart, San Diego, CA (pioneer) and St. Michael’s, Duluth, MN. She served as chair of the religion department at Marian Catholic HS, Chicago Heights from 1973 to 1983. Sister Marie Vianney enjoyed traveling and visiting with people as well as reading and quiet times by the lake. Sister Marie Vianney was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother: Belle Fowler Trutter and three brothers: Norman Trutter, George Trutter and Robert Trutter She is survived by her sister: Aggie (husband, Louie) Beeler of Wood River; two brothers Charlie Trutter of Clarkston, WA and James Trutter of Orlando, FL; several nieces and nephews and by her Dominican Sisters with whom she lived and ministered for 60 years. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Convent Motherhouse, 1237 W. Monroe, Springfield. A Vigil Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at Sacred Heart Convent, with Rev. Peter Witchousky, OP as presider. Final Commendation and Burial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at the Sacred Heart Convent Motherhouse. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. The family and Dominican Sisters of Sister Marie Vianney Trutter, OP are being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.