Rev. Francis A. Weingartz's Obituary
Reverend Francis A. Weingartz went peacefully to Our Lord at age 96 on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, surrounded by his nieces and a dear friend. Francis was born July 15,1928 to the late Christopher and Agnes (Robinet) Weingartz in Centerline, Michigan. He graduated from Sacred Heart Seminary in June of 1950 and went on to study at St. John’s Provincial Seminary. He was ordained to the Priesthood on June 5, 1954, in the Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan and celebrated his first Mass the following day at his home parish, St Augustine in Richmond, Michigan.
Fr. Francis was a devoted Catholic priest who loved people and blessed us with 70 years of service to Our Lord. He spread God’s Word to many parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Father loved singing the Word of God and was often referred to as the “singing priest”. His last assignment as pastor was at St. Dorothy Parish, Warren, 1988 to 1998. After being granted Senior Priest Status in 1998, he continued serving Our Lord as a temporary administrator or resident priest at several parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit, with the last one being Our Lady Star of the Sea in Grosse Pointe Woods.
After leaving Our Lady Star of the Sea in 2013, he continued his active ministry until 2020, celebrating Mass at the senior living facilities where he resided. In addition to his home Diocese, he also served parishes in Anchorage, Alaska and the Island of Cayman Brac. Fr. Francis was devoted to his parishioners and loved greeting many of them with special nicknames.
Father spent his free time and holidays with family and close friends. In his younger years, he enjoyed biking, hiking, and camping throughout Michigan with his nephews but especially with his classmate and best friend “Mitch” (Reverend Edward Mitchell, deceased). Father traveled and studied at Georgetown University and in Rome, including trips to the Vatican, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. He was nicknamed “the travelling priest” and “Farmer Francis” having grown up on a farm, but to his close family, nieces and nephews, he was “Uncle Father”.
Fr. Francis is survived by his sister, Rita (Patrick) Franckowiak, his sisters-in-law, Marion (Anthony) and Mary (Leo) Weingartz and many nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren, other relatives and several friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Anthony, Clement (Catherine), Vincent (Laura), Leo, Thomas (Agnes) Weingartz, his sister Anne and brother-in-law Benjamin Schweihofer and his brother-in-law Patrick Franckowiak, several nieces and nephews, other relatives and close friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 9th, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Young Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, China Township, with rosary at 7 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be Thursday, October 10th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Augustine Church, Richmond. In state visitation 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at church prior to the Mass. Archbishop Allen Vigneron will officiate. Interment will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Richmond.
A special thanks to all of Father’s caregivers including those at the Village of East Harbor.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Senior Priest Fund, Sacred Heart Major Seminary or the Village of East Harbor (Chesterfield) Benevolence Fund. To leave a message of comfort visit www.youngcolonial.com.
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