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Father walter macpherson dies july 16 in swansea

Father Walter E. MacPherson died July 16 at Rosewood Care Center in Swansea. He was 87 years old.
Father MacPherson was ordained a priest May 3, 1955 by Bishop Albert R. Zuroweste.

During his priesthood, Father MacPherson served as an associate at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Washington Park from 1955 to 1962 and was administrator of St. Joseph in Prairie du Rocher in 1962. From 1963 to 1968 he was the chaplain of St. Mary’s Hospital in East St. Louis and was then assigned as chaplain at the Academy of Notre Dame High School in 1969. In 1970 he was named pastor at St. Michael Parish in Paderborn until 1973.

From 1973 to 1994 he was pastor at St. Martin of Tours in Washington Park.

He retired in 1995 and lived at the Hincke-Sense Home for retired priests until he went to Rosewood.

One of 12 children, Father MacPherson was born Aug. 3, 1923 to Ludovia Moreau MacPherson and Hugh A. MacPherson in Old Town, Maine.

Before entering the seminary he was a World War II Navy veteran.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and four sisters. He is survived by one brother and sister-in-law and two sisters.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated July 19 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Belleville with Father Jack McEvilly principal celebrant.

(No photo of Father MacPherson was available.)