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Please join us in praying for the repose of the soul of Monsignor Michael Joseph Wilbers, our former Pastor, who passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2023 and for comfort for his family.

Msgr. Wilbers was born on June 12, 1946, in Jefferson City, the son of the late Fred Louis and Julietta Elizabeth (Schwartze) Wilbers. 

He attended St. Peter’s Grade School, Jefferson City; St. Thomas Aquinas High School Seminary, Hannibal; and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Conception, Missouri.  He was ordained a deacon at St. Pius X Church, Moberly.

He was ordained a priest on February 26, 1972, at St. Peter Catholic Church, Jefferson City, by the Most Reverend Michael F. McAuliffe, Bishop of Jefferson City. Monsignor was pastor at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Ozark from 1999 to 2014.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Frederick Wilbers and David Wilbers. Survivors include his two sisters, Mary Helen Norfleet, Jefferson City; Julie (Dan) Wieberg, Jefferson City; four nephews and one niece, Eric (Wendy) Norfleet, Matt (Rebecca) Norfleet, Chris (Shelly) Wieberg, Kyle (Jessi) Wieberg, Laura (Jeff) Kempker; six great nephews and three great nieces, Brett Norfleet, Aaron Norfleet, Noah Wieberg, Zachary Wieberg, Luke Wieberg, Cole Wieberg, Holly Wieberg, Claire Kempker, Elise Kempker; and his brother priests.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Sunday, September 24, 2023, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City with a prayer service at 6 p.m. Additional visitation will be 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City.

The concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Monday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City, Missouri. Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City and Most Reverend John R. Gaydos, Bishop Emeritus of Jefferson City will preside, and Reverend Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, Vicar General will be the homilist.

Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

Link to his obituary: Complete Obituary

Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.