Rev. Msgr. Charles B. Motsett
Deceased: 2006-12-14
Diocese: PEORIA
Seminary Graduation Year: 1935
Reverend Monsignor Charles Bourke Motsett, P.A., 98, of Danville passed away at 6:45 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at North Logan Health Care in Danville.
Father Motsett was born Jan. 12, 1908, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Charles and Clara (Bourke) Motsett.
He is survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, William J. Motsett.
Father Motsett attended and graduated from Spalding Institute in Peoria, the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., in 1931 and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy, in 1935.
He was ordained into the priesthood in Rome on Dec. 8, 1934. Returning to the United States in 1935, he served as an assistant at two parishes, St. Mary’s, Canton, and Visitation, Kewanee, and then pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Gibson City. Father Motsett then became pastor of St. Paul’s Church in Danville, in 1948, and served until 1974. He then went to Sacred Heart, Farmer City, until 1982. After leaving Farmer City, he became chaplain of St. Elizabeth Hospital in Danville, until his retirement in 1986.
Father Motsett was elevated to status of Monsignor in 1993 and then Protonotory Apostolic in 2003. He was devoted to both his church and city communities. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus Danville Council 754, serving as Chaplain for 3rd and 4th Degrees. He was also a member of the Noon Kiwanis and Danville Rotary in which he received Rotary Service Person of the Year in 1998. Father Motsett always volunteered for other civic functions. He enjoyed horseback riding, reading and all his faithful dogs.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Reverend Monsignor Charles Bourke Motsett P.A. will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Danville, with Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C. S. C. as celebrant. Burial will be in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006, with an evening prayer service at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church.
Memorials may be made in Father Motsett’s name, to an organization of the donor’s choice, St. Paul’s Church Endowment Fund or Schlarman High School Foundation Fund.
