Fr. Charles Shelby, C.M., died on Aug. 6, 2026, at the Apostle of Charity Residence on the campus of St. Mary’s of the Barrens in Perryville, Missouri, at the age of 85.
Born in Los Angeles to Ruth Russell and Peter P. Shelby, both of whom preceded him in death, he entered the Vincentian novitiate in September 1962 at St. Mary’s of the Barrens and was ordained a priest in May 1968 at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Los Angeles.
With degrees in philosophy, divinity, and physics, he taught and served as an administrator at seminaries in Montebello, California, and Perryville, Missouri, before a 25-year span at the Association of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, during which he served as Associate Director, Director, and President. He was also Treasurer and Assistant Superior for the Midwest Province for two years in 2002 and 2003.
From 2005 to 2016, he was Vice Chancellor for DePaul University in Chicago, and he also served as Superior at the DePaul Vincentian Residence in Chicago from 2012 to 2015, prior to which he was Assistant Superior for seven years. He was also associate spiritual advisor for the Association of the Miraculous Medal from 2012 to 2019 and moved to St. Mary’s of the Barrens in 2016. He was active there in the Vincentian prayer ministry, Apostles of Prayer.
Services:
Thursday, August 13, 2026
- 5:00 p.m.—Reception of the Body at Church of the Assumption, Perryville, Missouri, followed by supper at 6 p.m.
- 7:00 p.m.—Vigil Service, Church of the Assumption
Friday, August 14, 2026
- 10:30 a.m.—Funeral Mass, Church of the Assumption, followed by burial in the community cemetery.
May he rest in peace!