Preliminary Note: It really doesn’t matter to me what is published or said about me as long the Lord is praised for giving me Salvation. First and foremost, Jesus is to be thanked and praised for living among us for about 30 years and then suffering terribly – probably the worst – and what we perhaps can’t imagine – was bearing the shamefulness and ugliness of our sins before the Faith. Sins of hurting others, belittling others, lording it over others, neglecting others – perhaps much, much worse than the common sexual sins or immorality. The Faith, Too, is to be greatly praised for sending his son to us. The Holy Spirit – The Spirit of the Father the Song – too, is greatly to be praised for being in us and directing our thoughts and actions.
Because there may be “pressure” on family, however, to publish a somewhat detailed obituary, I will write the following. It might prevent some time-consuming “research/questioning” – and in a limited time.
Obituary:
Raymond Henry Pachta was born July 6, 1932, on a farm east of Belleville, Kansas. He made his heavenly journey home on Thursday, November 11, 2021. His parents were Vincent J. Pachta and Magdalina (Baxa) Pachta. He was born shortly after the tornado that took down the Washington, Kansas courthouse. Because telephone lines were down, Grandma (Mary) Pachta tied and cut the umbilical cord before the doctor arrived.
Raymond was the 5th of nine children: Marcella, Irene, Joseph, Edward, Bernadine, Rita, Vincent, Paul, and John.
Raymond graduated from Republican County grade schools, having attended Prairie Home District #86. He attended 2 years of high school in Belleville, Kansas. And then entered Conception Seminary, Conception, MO., graduating in 1950.
Sent by the Catholic Diocese of Salina to Cincinnati, he attended St. Gregory’s and Mount St. Mary’s Seminaries, earning Bachelor and master’s degree in philosophy from the ATHENAEM of Ohio. During his final year, he was selected to be a student priest, being ordained July 21, 1957, in Middletown, OH.
Raymond served at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina from 1958-1963. Then he served in Concordia & St. Joseph in Cloud County, Kansas until 1971. From 1971-1982 he served the parishes in Delphos, Glasco, and Meredith.
Wishing to “do the most good possible,” Raymond requested working in the field of education. Three summers were spent studying at Catholic University of America, Washington D.C., with supplemental course work from Marymount College, Kansas State University, and Kansas University, where he received certification in teaching, counseling, and administration. He taught and established the guidance program at Sacred Heart High School in Salina and then served as principal at Notre Dame High School in Concordia, Kansas. While serving the parishes of Delphos, Glasco, and Meredith, he also provided the needed guidance services at St. John’s High school in Beloit, St. Xavier’s High school in Junction City and Tipton High school in Tipton, Kansas. He also served on the Salina Diocesan school board and the Salina Diocesan Council. During these years he often flew his plane or rode his motorcycle to these and other various tasks.
In the early 80’s Raymond worked as a carpenter’s assistant and farm worker, and then as night and weekend supervisor at St Joseph’s Children’s Home in Oklahoma City, 1983-1984. He then worked for five years in production & parts distribution for El Dorado Industries, in Minneapolis, Kansas 1984-1989. His last 15 years of employment (1989-2004) was with the State of Kansas as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.
On February 11, 1984, Raymond was married to Deloris (Gawith) Bergez in Delphos, Kansas. They then made their home there. The daughters are Jackie Bergez, Rheta (Bergez) Scheib (Jim), Sherry Bergez & Marc Steven Bergez (Molly). Grandchildren: Kevin McFee, Austin Scheib (Tiffany), Colby Scheib, Kathryn McFee Bowers (Patrick), Corbin Scheib, Marc Bergez Jr., Charles Bergez, Nick Bergez (April), and Kaitlyn Bergez. Great-grandchildren: 12 and Great-Great Grandchildren: 3.
Raymond served on the Delphos City Council in the early 90’s, has been active on the local and district level (hearing aid chairman (2004-2007) of the Lions Club and has been secretary treasure of the Delphos Museum for a number of years. He also served 4 years lay representative from the Delphos Methodist Church to the annual conference. He also served on the local church administration board.
Concluding note: The above may seem like bragging. Motivation, however, is hard, if not impossible, to analyze. In the last analysis, it is the Lord who knows. I feel that I always - at least, most of the time - wanted to be a “good boy.” There was probably pride involved in this. I liked the praise. When I first thought of wanting to be a priest, I was too embarrassed - or scared - to say anything about it. When I did tell Monsignor Brown, he immediately made arrangements for me to go to the seminary from then on, it was “the thing I was supposed to do.” Homesickness or attractiveness to girls was just not allowed to be considered by me. At least when at home during vacations, I’m sure, being a seminarian was a matter of pride. I was looked up to and admired.
As a seminarian and at least in the earlier years as a priest my aim was to be “a good priest.” Though I took great pride in the priesthood and used it to take advantage of people, impose on them, and Lord it over them. I think I hurt many people and in some cases was not a person of character, like in some automobile deals. Car dealers treated priests very generously. It was easy to take advantage of them.
Even in regard to my resignation from the clergy and denomination, though the basic reasons were theological - and I have not changed my convictions - I’m not so sure pride wasn’t involved to a considerable extent - and may still be. I regret, though, my convictions remain the same today, as then, in regard to Jesus, salvation, and the church.
-So, for whatever this is all worth - here it is. Probably just praising the Lord, Jesus, especially - is the best!
Written 1-14-09 by Raymond H. Pachta
Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M., Sunday, November 14 at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis. Family graveside services will be at 10:00 A.M., Monday, November 15 at the Delphos Cemetery. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 A.M. at Words of Light Fellowship Church, Delphos. Memorials may be made to the Delphos Senior Center or Words of Light Fellowship Church and may be left in care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467