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 called Home to receive his heavenly crown on January 23, 2026, passing away peacefully at his home 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 faith, love, & devotion.  

He is survived by his beloved wife -  Linda;  his eight children -  Natasha (Eric) Cheatham,  Heather (Les) Thomas,  Sasha Alms,  Seth Alms,  Alexander (Tiffany) Alms,  Zachary Alms,  Misha (Cory) Leitschuh,  &  Dustin Alms;  along with many cherished grandchildren & great grandchildren.  He is also survived by one sister -  Marilyn (Don) Sandmann.  Maurice was preceded in death 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 outside Steeleville, IL, where he worked alongside his family, tending to animals & farm land.  Answering God's call to serve, he pursued theological education at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, earning a Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology, & Doctor of Ministry degrees.

For more than 40 years, Maurice faithfully served the Church, dedicating his life to proclaiming God's abundant grace & love through parish ministry, youth detention ministry, & prison ministry.  He was instrumental in developing the Southern Illinois District Prison Ministry Program & authored the Prison Chaplaincy Manual, which continues to be used as an optional instructional module for seminarians pursuing undergraduate & graduate studies.  He found deep fulfillment in mentoring & training future pastors & ministers of the faith.

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

Beyond his pastoral calling, Maurice worked with the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services and, alongside his wife, opened his home to 34 foster children over the years, faithfully modeling a life of Christian love, patience, & fatherhood.

In his personal life, Maurice found joy camping with his family in their RV, working on home projects, tending gardens & flower beds, & enjoying desserts of all kinds, especially those homemade by his wife.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorials may 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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