Schexnayder

Father Francis Schexnayder, M.M.

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Father Francis Schexnayder, M.M., a missioner to Taiwan, died there Dec. 11. He was 77.

He was first assigned to Taiwan in 1964 following his ordination and spent most of his ministry there, serving in Nantun, Tien Chung, Feng Yuan and Nantou. In 1970 he was assigned as pastor of Hsi Chou parish near Taichung.

He returned to the United States in 1973 and served at the Maryknoll Development Office in New Orleans and later in Albany. Returning to Taiwan in 1977, he was assigned as pastor to two parishes in the Hsinchu Diocese, where he established kindergarten programs that served more than 400 children.

Born in New Orleans, he entered Maryknoll in 1954. He held bachelor’s degrees from Maryknoll College in Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Maryknoll Seminary in Ossining. He also held a master’s in religious education from Maryknoll Seminary, where he studied for the priesthood.

His brothers, Joseph, John, Ellis and Ronald, and his sisters, Lucille Reynaud Sullivan, Helen Schexnayder Wolf and Elaine Owen Schexnayder, survive him.

A Funeral Mass was offered Dec. 14 at Sacred Heart Church in Yuanli, Taiwan. Burial took place at a Catholic cemetery there. A Memorial Mass was celebrated Dec. 21 at the Taichung Cathedral of Christ Our Savior and a second was planned at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Chapel, Ossining.

Father Francis Schexnayder, M.M.