Father Francis Oman, IC

GALESBURG — A funeral Mass was offered at Corpus Christi Church here on March 6 for Father Francis Mary Oman, IC, who served as pastor of the parish from 1969 to 1981.

Father Oman, who was also pastor of Sacred Heart in Abingdon for 19 years and a former provincial superior of the Rosminian Fathers, died on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at Rosmini House in West Peoria. He was 87.

Father William T. Miller was celebrant and homilist of the funeral liturgy. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery in Galesburg. (For the text of the funeral homily, click here.)

Born in Dublin, Ireland, on May 15, 1929, to William and Margaret (Murtaugh) Oman, he was ordained to the priesthood on July 14, 1957. The following year, he began his ministry in the Diocese of Peoria as parochial vicar at St. Patrick Parish in Galesburg.

In 1960, Father Oman began the first of two assignments as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Abingdon. The first assignment lasted until 1969. From 1989 to 1999, he was again pastor of the Abingdon faith community as well as St. Augustine Parish in St. Augustine.

For most of the 1980s, Father Oman was based at Rosmini House in West Peoria, serving his community — also known as the Institute of Charity — as provincial superior. He oversaw the construction of a new $500,000 headquarters for the religious community on Heading Avenue, known as Rosmini House, which was dedicated in 1984 by Bishop Edward W. O’Rourke.

As a semi-retired, but still active priest, Father Oman served at St. Teresa Parish in Spring Hill, Florida, from 1999 to 2008. He then returned to Rosmini House, residing there until his death.

Father Oman was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Billy, Paddy and John; and two sisters, Kathleen and Eileen.

He is survived by two brothers, Ultan and Peter Oman; and three sisters, Sister Margaret Oman, OSF, Sister Nancy Oman, OSF, and Sister Agnes Oman, CSB; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews in the U.S., Canada, England, Australia and Ireland.

Memorials may be made to the Institute of Charity, Corpus Christi Church or Sacred Heart Church. Expressions of sympathy may be left to the family at watsonthomas.com.