"My last update was concerning scans and tests to "check" to see if my cancers were still in remission. About the same time, I started experiencing the worse symptoms I've had since diagnosed a year ago this month.
What we had hoped for with continued remission isn't to be. The scans show extensive damage to the liver. There are no treatments to try. Today our hospice provider came to get us started on this journey. A journey of final things.
So many things run through my mind. It all begins at the beginning. The Creator of the universe knows us from the beginning. Out of all time, He created us to be here and now to fulfill His will for us.
And in the fullness of time God the Son came to ransom Himself so we may share in eternal life.
Two things strike me as this begins. First, know that I beg your forgiveness if I have offended you in anyway. We are flesh of the same flesh, blood of the same blood. Standing together for eternity.
Second, Evangelium Vitae states we are, “called to proclaim to the people of all times this "Gospel", the source of invincible hope and true joy for every period of history. The Gospel of God's love for man, the Gospel of the dignity of the person and the Gospel of life are a single and indivisible Gospel.”
A single and indivisible Gospel. The dignity of the person. What's to fear? Life is changing but not ending. Life is always in the hands of God. In His Love.
Pray for me as I pray for you!"
Deacon Christopher M. Wickern, 66, who assisted the pastor of St. Ann Parish in Warsaw and the Mission of Ss. Peter and Paul in Cole Camp, died on Sunday, Nov. 21, at his home.
A Rosary for the repose of his soul will be prayed on Sunday, Nov. 28, at 4 p.m. at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Cole Camp.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Ann Church in Warsaw, with Father Benjamin Nwosu presiding.
Burial with military honors will be in Union-Williams Cemetery, Cole Camp.
Deacon Wickern served the Jefferson City diocese as a permanent deacon since 2016.
He was born on March 15, 1955, in Atchison, Kansas, a son of Donald J. and Permelia S. (McNeish) Wickern.
He grew up in Topeka, Kansas, and when he was a freshman in high school, moved to Lakeview Heights near Lincoln, Mo. He graduated from Cole Camp High School in 1973. While in high school, he cut wood and worked turkeys for local farmers. After graduation, he served his country honorably in the United States Army where he started land surveying.
On April 5, 1974, at Mt. Hulda Lutheran Church near Cole Camp, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Patsy Smith. Together they traveled three continents and seven states while raising their three children, Eric, Elizabeth and Kyle.
After his discharge from the U.S. Army, he became a professional land surveyor in Missouri and Arizona.
He enjoyed being involved with the surveying community and was a member and past president of the Missouri Society of Professional Land Surveyors (MSPLS).
He published several articles on surveying and riparian rights and also won numerous surveying awards.
After five years of diaconate formation, he was ordained as a deacon in 2016 and assigned to what is now known as St. Vincent de Paul Parish of Pettis County.
In 2019, he was reassigned to St. Ann Parish in Warsaw and the Mission of Ss. Peter and Paul in Cole Camp.
Deacon Wickern loved people, whether it be family, friends or strangers and he loved sharing his faith with everyone.
Christmas was his favorite time of year and he loved everything about it.
Since 2010, he and his wife volunteered throughout the community of Sedalia at Christmastime as Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy; a daughter, Elizabeth (Randy) Ackerman of Richmond; two sons, Eric (Jolon) Wickern of Jefferson City; and Kyle (Jillian) Wickern of Branson; a sister, Catherine Wickern of Kansas City; a brother, Patrick Wickern of Springfield; 10 grandchildren: Jordan, Heather, Kayla, Kristin, Duncan, Megan, Autumn, Dexter, TJ, and Willow; and three great-grandchildren: Akyra, Henry, and Mavis.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John Wickern.
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