Deacon John H. Baker, M.D.
Born: Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
Age: 89
Ordination: June 15, 1996, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Cardinal Justin Rigali
Education: East Linden School in East Linden, Pennsylvania
Williamsport High School, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Bachelor’s degree, Mount Saint Mary’s College, Emmitsburg, Maryland
Medical degree, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
Master’s degree, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
Certificate in pastoral ministry, St. Mary’s University, Winona, Minnesota
Family: Wife, Margaret (Peg); children, Robert, Christopher, Therese, Elizabeth, John and Geoffrey plus the late Margaret, Rebecca, Alice and William
Service in the archdiocese: St. Monica Parish, Creve Coeur, 1996-2000
Service outside the archdiocese: (Incardinated in the Diocese of St. Augustine in 2007) St. Michael Parish, Fernandina Beach, Florida, 2000-02
Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Jacksonville, Florida, 2002-present
Instructor in ministry formation and diaconate formation for the Diocese of St. Augustine.
Secular career: U.S. Navy medical officer, 20 years; civilian medical practice, 21 years
About Deacon Baker: He remains active at his parish, Holy Redeemer in Jacksonville, though not as much as 10 years ago. He served at St. Monica Parish in RCIA, ministry to inactive Catholics and home and nursing home visitation. In Florida, his ministries were much the same, plus prison ministry and serving as administrator in absence of the pastor.
Deacon Gerald J. Geiser
Birthplace: St. Louis
Age: 79
Ordination: June 15, 1996, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Cardinal Justin Rigali
Education: St. Anthony of Padua Grade School in St. Louis
St. Mary’s High School in St. Louis
Harris Junior College in St. Louis
Family: Wife, Nancy J. Lamkiewicz; three children, Eugenia (Jeanie), Laura and Thomas
Service in the archdiocese: St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, St. Louis, until retirement in 2016
Secular career: National Supermarkets, 29 and a half years
Driver for Kutis Funeral Home, 10 years
Now retired
About Deacon Geiser: He offered Communion service after Benediction, visited sick parishioners and served Sherbrooke Village residents. He also was involved in a neighborhood association.
Deacon Robert J. Keeney
Birthplace: St. Louis
Age: 74
Ordination: June 15, 1996, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Cardinal Justin Rigali
Education: St. Catherine of Siena Grade School in Pagedale
St. Vincent’s College High School in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Bachelor’s degree, Saint Louis University
Family: Wife, Carol, died eight years ago; One son, Matthew.
Service in the archdiocese: Ascension Parish, Chesterfield, 1996-99
Holy Family Parish, St. Louis, 1999-2002
Ascension Parish, Chesterfield, 2002-present
Secular career: Owner of a company developing incentive and recognition programs for larger companies.
About Deacon Keeney: In addition to regular liturgical functions — assisting at Mass, preaching, baptisms, Benedictions, funerals and wake services and weddings — he also brought Communion to the homebound, visited nursing homes, taught RCIA, was a parish St. Vincent DePaul member and chaplain and visited parishioners in the hospital.
Deacon Leon R. Noelker
Age: 79
Ordination: June 15, 1996, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Cardinal Justin Rigali
Education: St. Francis Borgia Grade School and High School
Family: Wife, Marcie; three children, Gary, Pam and Connie
Service in the archdiocese: St. Francis Borgia Parish, Washington, for 25 years; retired in June of 2021
Secular career: Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for 34 years. Retired in 1996 when ordained to the diaconate
About Deacon Noelker: He assisted with and led the RCIA process for 25 years. He attended a Marriage Encounter Weekend in 1981, and has led a number of Bible studies and other adult education classes throughout the years. He performed the usual diaconate duties of Communion to the homebound, funeral services and devotional services, among others.
Deacon William Priesmeyer
Birthplace: St. Louis
Age: 86
Ordination: June 15, 1996, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Cardinal Justin Rigali
Education: St. Agnes Grade School in St. Louis and St. Gregory Grade School in St. Ann
McBride High School
Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering and honorary professional engineering degree, Missouri University of Science and Technology (then known as the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy)
Family: Wife, Dolores; three children, Judith, William and Geralyn
Service in the archdiocese: St. Gregory Parish, St. Ann, 1996-2002
Holy Trinity Parish, St. Ann, 2002 until his retirement in 2019
About Deacon Priesmeyer: He conducted nursing home visits and marriage preparation in addition to other diaconate duties. He also served on the parish council, liturgy committee and with other parish groups. He was Chairman of the American Foundrymen’s Society and member of the board of the Foundry Educational Foundation.
