Obit: Malik, Monsignor John Edward (1926 - 2010)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Berens, Gilles, Henkels, Kunz, Malik, O’Connor 
 

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wisconsin) Wednesday, April 28, 2010, page 12 
 

Malik, Monsignor John Edward (May 31, 1926 - April 26, 2010) 
 

Monsignor John Edward Malik, at the age of 83 and a priest for 56 years, died on Monday, April 26, 2010 in Colby, Wisconsin, with his family by his side.

 
Monsignor Malik was born on May 31, 1926 in Clintonville, to James and Clara (Berens) Malik.  
 

He attended Incarnation School in Minneapolis, Minn., P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point, St. John University at Collegeville, Minn., and the North American College in Rome. He was ordained on December 19, 1953 at the North American College in Rome by Bishop Martin J. O’Connor.

 
Father Malik’s first assignment was on June 30, 1954 as a Professor at Holy Cross Seminary at La Crosse. On June 19, 1963, he was also appointed as Dean of Studies for Holy Cross Seminary High School. During the summer of 1955, Father Malik was assigned to studies in the Classical Languages at Catholic University in Washington, DC. He was assigned to studies in Education and Mathematics at Marquette University at Milwaukee during the summers of 1956 through 1967. Father Malik was appointed as Rector of Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse on June 17, 1969.

 
On July 1, 1971 Father Malik was then assigned as Vice Chancellor and Secretary of the Matrimonial Tribunal of the Diocese of La Crosse. In September of 1971, he was also assigned as Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish at Saint Joseph Ridge. On June 1, 1972, he was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese, while continuing his pastorate at Saint Joseph Ridge. Father Malik was appointed as Co-Rector of Saint Joseph Cathedral at La Crosse on October 4, 1977. On July 15, 1982, he was appointed Pastor of Saint Matthew Parish at Wausau, where he served until 1991. Father Malik was then appointed as Parochial Administrator of Christ the King Parish at Spencer on May 3, 1991, and as Pastor on September 17, 1991. On December 12, 1991 he was also assigned as Parochial Administrator of Saint Mary Help of Christians Parish at Colby. Father Malik was released from his assignment as Pastor of Christ of King the Parish at Spencer and appointed Pastor of Saint Mary Help of Christians Parish at Colby on May 19, 1992.

 
On September 14, 2005, he was conferred with the Pontifical Honor of being named a Chaplain to His Holiness and received the title of Monsignor. Monsignor Malik was granted the status of a senior priest of the Diocese on February 1, 2008.

 
Monsignor Malik is survived by his sister Carol (Paul) Henkels, 11 nieces and nephews and their families.

 
Monsignor Malik was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Robert Malik.

 
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at Saint Mary Help of Christians Church at Colby. Monsignor Richard W. Gilles will be the main celebrant. Father David C. Kunz will be the homilist. Burial will be in Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at Colby. Visitation will be held at Saint Mary Help of Christians Church at Colby on Wednesday, April 28, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. There will be a recitation of the Rosary prior to Vespers at 8:00 p.m. There will also be visitation on Thursday, April 29, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. The Diocese of La Crosse and the family are being assisted by the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home, Colby.

 
Those wishing to express their sympathy in Monsignor Malik’s name may do so to the Monsignor Malik Scholarship Fund for the students at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Colby.