Rev. Louis VanderLey, O.S.B., entered eternal life on Saturday, February 27, 2016, strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church and the presence of monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey. He was 80 years old and had completed 55 years of monastic life.

Father Louis was born on July 22, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois to Richard and Marie Verhaar VanderLey.

He was raised in All Saints Parish in Chicago and graduated from St. Rita Catholic High. He completed one year of studies at the University of Illinois before being into the U.S. Army in September 1955. After honorable service, including in Germany, he transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in July 1957.

Fr. Louis first visited St. Gregory’s Abbey while he was in the Army Reserve and was attracted by the life he found. He professed vows as a monk on July 11, 1960. He completed a B.A. in Philosophy at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and theological studies at St. Gregory’s Abbey. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1966. After ordination he completed a M.A. in Economics at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Fr. Louis served in various pastoral assignments, including as chaplain at St. Gregory’s College/University, Bishop McGuinness High School in Oklahoma City, and the University of Central Oklahoma. He also taught religious studies at Bishop McGuinness and courses in theology and social sciences at St. Gregory’s. Fr. Louis served as pastor at St. Wenceslaus Parish and the National Shrine of the Infant Jesus in Prague, Oklahoma, at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in McLoud, Oklahoma, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Chandler, Oklahoma and at St. Benedict Parish in Montebello, California. His final assignment outside the Abbey was as Associate Pastor at St. John the Baptist Parish in Edmond, Oklahoma while also assisting regularly at St. Philip Neri Parish in Midwest City. He was known for his humility, down-to-earth preaching and devoted ministry in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons.

Fr. Louis served on the Board of Directors for St. Gregory’s College/University from 1977 to 1989 and from 1993 until 1997. He was appointed as Prior and Junior Master at St. Gregory’s Abbey in 2006, positions he held for five years.

He retired from active assignments in 2012 due to the increasing effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Fr. Louis is survived by the Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey, sister-in-law Josephine “Jo” Spangler of Milwaukie, Oregon, nephew Rick Spangler and niece Josephine Beeber, and many devoted friends. The monastic community is grateful for the dedicated care given to Fr. Louis by the Abbey health care staff.

His body lies in repose at St. Gregory’s Abbey, where public visitation will be available until his funeral. A Vigil for the Deceased will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, in the Abbey Church. The Mass for Christian Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, in the Abbey Church at St. Gregory’s with interment following in the Abbey Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the St. Gregory’s Abbey Infirmary Facility Fund, 1900 W. MacArthur, Shawnee, OK 74804. Information at 405-878-5490.