Obituary for Rev. Dr. Maurice Harold Alms

Rev. Dr. Maurice Harold Alms, 80, of Belleville, IL, was born on July 6, 1945 in Steeleville, IL, the son of the late Harold & Edith (Lehmberg) Alms.  He was known as Home to obtain his heavenly crown on January 23, 2026, passing away peacefully at his residence after battling Parkinson’s Disease for 25 years.

Maurice was united in marriage to Linda on July 31, 1971 at Grace Lutheran Church in Queens Village, New York.  Together they shared 54 years of marriage marked by religion, love, & devotion.  

He is survived by his beloved spouse –  Linda;  his eight youngsters –  Natasha (Eric) Cheatham,  Heather (Les) Thomas,  Sasha Alms,  Seth Alms,  Alexander (Tiffany) Alms,  Zachary Alms,  Misha (Cory) Leitschuh,  &  Dustin Alms;  together with many cherished grandchildren & nice grandchildren.  He can be survived by one sister –  Marilyn (Don) Sandmann.  Maurice was preceded in loss of life by his daughter –  Jennifer Robinson;  his sisters –  Vivian Earlenbaugh,  Eunice Alms,  Roberta Rutherford,  Sandra Koenig,  &  Loretta Schuette;  & his brothers –  Royce Alms  &  Donald Alms.

Maurice was raised on a farm exterior Steeleville, IL, the place he labored alongside his household, tending to animals & farm land.  Answering God’s name to serve, he pursued theological schooling at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, incomes a Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology, & Doctor of Ministry levels.

For greater than 40 years, Maurice faithfully served the Church, dedicating his life to proclaiming God’s considerable grace & love by parish ministry, youth detention ministry, & jail ministry.  He was instrumental in growing the Southern Illinois District Prison Ministry Program & authored the Prison Chaplaincy Manual, which continues for use as an elective tutorial module for seminarians pursuing undergraduate & graduate research.  He discovered deep achievement in mentoring & coaching future pastors & ministers of the religion.

Throughout his ministry, Maurice served many congregations together with St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Columbus, IN;  Resurrection & Waycross Lutheran Churches in Brunswick Georgia;  Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Golconda, IL;  & most just lately, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livingston, IL.

Beyond his pastoral calling, Maurice labored with the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services and, alongside his spouse, opened his residence to 34 foster youngsters through the years, faithfully modeling a lifetime of Christian love, persistence, & fatherhood.

In his private life, Maurice discovered pleasure tenting along with his household of their RV, engaged on residence tasks, tending gardens & flower beds, & having fun with desserts of every kind, particularly these do-it-yourself by his spouse.

Visitation shall be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 4 to 7 PM at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livingston, IL, & once more from 10 to 11 AM on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church Soulard in St. Louis, MO.  The funeral service will happen on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 11 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church Soulard, in St. Louis, MO.  Burial will observe at St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery in Wine Hill, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorials could also be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livingston, IL,  KFUO Radio in St. Louis, MO, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

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