Deceased Friars


Joseph Kehr, OFM

Joseph Kehr

1839 – 1913

Tertiary Brother Joseph Kehr, OFM, was born on Oct. 23, 1839 in Rodder, Germany. A factory owner, he married Margaret Kuehn, and they gave birth to a son who became Fr. Damian Kehr, a pioneer friar in the early days of Holy Name Province.

When Margaret died, Br. Joseph came to America and was received as a tertiary at the age of 70 at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1909. He was professed as a tertiary brother in 1910. Br. Joseph cared for the dining room at the Paterson friary until his death there on Dec. 13, 1913. He was 74 years old, and in the fourth year of his tertiary profession. He is buried with his son in the friars’ cemetery in Butler.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

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Joseph Kehr, OFM

Joseph Kehr

1839 – 1913

Tertiary Brother Joseph Kehr, OFM, was born on Oct. 23, 1839 in Rodder, Germany. A factory owner, he married Margaret Kuehn, and they gave birth to a son who became Fr. Damian Kehr, a pioneer friar in the early days of Holy Name Province.

When Margaret died, Br. Joseph came to America and was received as a tertiary at the age of 70 at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1909. He was professed as a tertiary brother in 1910. Br. Joseph cared for the dining room at the Paterson friary until his death there on Dec. 13, 1913. He was 74 years old, and in the fourth year of his tertiary profession. He is buried with his son in the friars’ cemetery in Butler.