Rev. August Joseph Sperl

Rev. August Joseph Sperl, 94, of Springfield, died on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at the St. Francis Motherhouse. August was born May 4, 1920 in Springfield, the son of August Carl and Elizabeth Ellen (Beckman) Sperl. In 1928, when August was 8 years old, his mother died from tuberculosis. As she was dying, his mother offered up her suffering that August might become a priest and that his sister Bernadine might become a nun. Neither August nor Bernadine were aware of their mother's sacrifice; August was not informed until just before his ordination. Bernadine later professed as a Hospital Sister of the Third Order of St. Francis taking the name Sr. Augusta. During his mother's illness and after she died, August and his two sisters (Lucille and Bernadine) lived in the Alton's Children Home, an orphanage, for approximately 5 years. When his father remarried in 1931, the children returned home. August attended Saints Peter & Paul grade school in Springfield until 8th grade. He graduated in 1938 from St. Paul Mission House High School in Epworth, IA. After high school, he went to Sacred Heart Mission House in Girard, PA for two years, SVD Novitiate in Techny, IL for two years, and then spent two years in vows in Techny. August took a break from his priestly studies for 6 years and worked at Allis-Chalmers from June, 1944 until 1950 during which time he attended night school at Springfield Junior College, studying business. When he resumed his priestly studies, he attended St. John's Home Missions Seminary in Little Rock, AK for four years. He was ordained at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on May 29, 1954 by Bishop William O'Connor. His First Solemn Mass was on May 30 at Saints Peters and Paul Church in Springfield. Fr. Sperls's first assignment was at St. Mary's in Alton in June of 1954. From there he was assigned to Sacred Heart in Springfield, St. Boniface in Quincy, St. Patrick in Pana, Sacred Heart in Franklin, St. Sebastian in Waverly, and Holy Rosary in Palmyra. In 1983 he was assigned to Sacred Heart in Virden and remained pastor there until his retirement in 2009. While pastor of Sacred Heart, he assumed the additional administration of Holy Rosary in Palmyra and St. Patrick Church in Girard. Fr. Sperl has devoted much of his life to the promotion of Catholic education. He set up a trust fund to aid children from Virden, Auburn, and Girard to attend Catholic school. In 2013, Bishop Thomas Paprocki presented Fr. Sperl with the prestigious James A. Griffin Award for his long and meritorious service to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. In 2014, he celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination. Fr. Sperl was actively involved with the Knights of Columbus. In the fall of 1944, he was initiated into Council 364 in Springfield. From 1959 to 1962 Fr. Sperl was the chaplain of Council 364. In 1960 he was accepted into the 4th degree as a priest at Quincy for the Bishop Griffin Assembly. From 1983 to 2009 Father was Chaplain of the Virden Council 2321. From 2004 to 2009 Father was a Chaplain of the 4th Degree Bishop McNicholas Assembly 1985, Gillespie. On October 23rd, 2010, Father was inducted into the KC Hall of Fame in Hillsboro for his promotion of Catholic Education. Those who knew him will remember not only Fr. Sperl's humble dedication to his vocation as a priest, but also his love for the outdoors and his enjoyment of genealogy research, playing the harmonica, riding motorcycles and skiing. Father Sperl was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lucille Kuchar; half-sister, Patricia Ratterree; and two half-brothers, James and Robert Sperl. He is survived by his sister, Sr. Augusta Sperl, OSF of Springfield, and many loving cousins. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 524 E. Lawrence St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with Vigil Prayer Service and conclude with a Rosary Service at 3:30 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 17, 2014 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Caruso-Sperl Trust c/o Sacred Heart Church, 722 N. Springfield St., Virden, IL 62690.