Father G. Robert Aaron

Father G. Robert Aaron, OMI, 69, of Belleville, was born on Oct. 8, 1939, in Jonesboro, died on Monday, Aug.17, 2009, at his residence at King’s House of Retreats in Belleville.       

Father Aaron was in his 42nd year as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate and his 36th year as a priest. 

Prior to entering the seminary at Our Lady of the Ozarks in Carthage, Mo., he served three years in the U.S. Air Force, and another three years in the Air Force Reserves. 

He entered the Oblate Novitiate in Godfrey in 1966, taking his first vows in 1967.

He completed his studies at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and Oblate College in San Antonio, Texas, and was ordained as a priest on Aug. 19, 1972, in Biloxi, Miss.

His years of ministry were mostly spent in retreat houses in Minnesota and Illinois, but he was also involved in campus ministry at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., and the University of Minnesota in Duluth, Minn. 

He was a board member of Retreats International at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Omar and Dorothy Winn Eaves Aaron; and a sister, Donna Sue Klinger.

Surviving are his four sisters, Shirley Major of Springfield, Delores (Leroy) Thomas of Eureka, Betty (Norman) Hickman of Jonesboro and Marie (Paul) Marks of Mt. Vernon; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A funeral Mass of the Resurrection was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24,  at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows on the grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville.  Father James Brobst, OMI, director of King’s House of Retreats, presided.

Burial was in the Oblate cemetery on the grounds of St. Henry’s Oblate Community in Belleville.

George Renner & Sons Funeral Home in Belleville was in charge of arrangements.