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Brother Alois James Schirmers M.S.C., 89, Avon, MN

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Brother Alois James Schirmers was born on April 4, 1923 in Avon, MN, in the Diocese of St. Cloud, to James and Walburga (Preusser) Schirmers. He graduated from the township elementary school in Avon, County District #149. Afterwards, he worked on the family farm for many years. During this time, from 1952-55, he learned and practiced electrical maintenance at the St. Benedict College, operated by the Sisters of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN.

Brother Alois James Schirmers M.S.C., 89, Avon, MN
Brother Alois James Schirmers M.S.C., 89, Avon, MN
In 1965 he began his Novitiate at Sacred Heart Mission Seminary, Geneva, IL, in the Diocese of Rockford, in preparation for becoming an MSC. After making his First Profession of vows on October 17, 1966, he was transferred to Sacred Heart Seminary, Shelby, OH, in the Diocese of Toledo, to the farm attached with the MSC Community. He made his Perpetual Profession of Vows there in 1972.
He was in charge of landscaping at the Shelby facility from 1983 to 1985, when he was transferred to Center Valley, PA, where he continued his landscaping work until 1986, when he was given his assignment to Sacred Heart Retreat House, in the Diocese of Youngstown, OH, conducting maintenance at the MSC Community House. With closure of the Youngstown, Ohio MSC Community, in 2003, he retired in August of the same year to the Sacred Heart Villa in Center Valley, PA, where he died on July 27, 2012.
He is survived by his brothers, Leo Schirmers of Albany, MN and Steve Schirmers of Avon, MN. He is also survived by nine nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Teresa, Gust, Joe, Bill, Clare, Sister Cyrene, OSF; nephew, Jim Schadeg.
A Christian Wake Service took place on Monday evening, July 30, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Sacred Heart Villa, Center Valley, PA. Father E. Michael Camilli, MSC, Superior, presided. A Funeral Mass was concelebrated on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in the same Chapel. Father Raymond Diesbourg, MSC, Provincial Superior of the United States Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, presided. Interment followed in the MSC Section of the St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Ottsville, PA.