.png)
Monsignor Gerald Kobbeman graduated from Saint Andrew Grade School and was a member of the last class to graduate from Community Catholic High School in 1959. He played football for four years and was a member of the National Honor Society. While preparing for his senior year, he asked his Latin teacher, Sister Mary Clarice, “why do I have to take a 4th year of Latin? I will never use it.” Sister replied firmly, “oh yes you will, when you begin your studies for the priesthood.” After graduation, he entered the Seminary Department at Saint Ambrose College and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Latin. At Saint Ambrose he was a member of the honor fraternity Chapter XI of Delta Epsilon.
He attended Gregorian University in Rome where all lectures, all texts, and all exams were in Latin. On December 17, 1966, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Francis Reh at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. In June 1967 he graduated from Gregorian with a Licentiate in Sacred Theology.
Monsignor served many parishes in the Rockford Diocese between 1967 and his retirement in 2011. He was notary and then secretary for the Diocesan Tribunal. He was director of the Family Life Office and became a pro- synod judge. Additionally, he was a diocesan consultor, on the Finance Council, Dean of the Rockford Deanery and was part of the College of Consultors. In 2006 he was given the title Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) when Bishop Doran submitted his name to Pope Benedict XVI (16th).
Many of his parishes had an elementary school and Monsignor liked to pop in on the classrooms and visit with the students. He knew from experience, as one of eleven children, that a strong family and a strong faith life were important to growing up in a hectic world. He modeled faith and family values at all his parishes. Monsignor’s last parish was Saint Rita’s in Rockford. One student from St. Rita was ordained a priest for the Rockford Diocese two years ago and another will be ordained for the Diocese of Peoria in two years. Of these ordinations, Monsignor says, “I am so pleased to have influenced their vocations; I have not only replaced myself, but added another one.”
In his retirement, he continues to minister to the people of the Rockford Diocese saying Mass, offering Reconciliation and visiting the sick. For a few years he assisted Monsignor Dzielek at Saint Andrew, his home parish, and at Saint Mary’s in Tampico. Recently he was the celebrant at the wedding of a couple who had been in grade school when he was their pastor. He is the Coordinator for Pilgrimages for the Diocese and chaplain of the Catholic Women’s League for whom he recently offered Mass and a pre-Lenten talk.
Monsignor’s sister, Judy, nominated him for the Hall of Fame. Their father died in a farming accident when Jerry was 16 and two wonderful priests from Saint Andrew, Father Beddoes and Father London, guided the family through that difficult time; they were an early inspiration to Monsignor. Another influence was his Spiritual Director at Saint Ambrose who told the class of seminarians that the Church doesn’t need priests, it needs good priests. She feels that he took to heart those words and that he is, indeed, a good and respected priest who ministers to everyone he meets.
Monsignor’s legacy continues; his grand nephews and a grand niece attend Saint Andrew Grade School.
In December 2025, Monsignor will celebrate 59 years as priest in the Rockford Diocese.
Willy Mekeel graduated from Newman in 2004; he was a member of the cross country and track teams and won a state championship in wrestling his senior year. He was also elected Homecoming King. He graduated from Iowa Central College with an Associate’s Degree and enrolled at Minnesota State University. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Management and Business Administration and Master’s Degrees in Geography and in Geographic Information Science. He then earned a Ph.D. in Assessment, Monitoring and Geospatial Analysis from the University of Minesota. His thesis was titled “Minnesota River Basin Flood Mapping and Impact Assessment” and his dissertation was “Optimizing Moose Population Surveys through Remote Sensing: A Spatial Analysis Approach on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.”
Willy began his teaching career at various community colleges throughout the Midwest. He has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses online and in the classroom. He has commercial single engine and multi-engine pilot certificates.
Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of Aviation, Chief Ground School Instructor for the University’s Professional Flight program, and UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems aka drones) Program Director at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He created the bachelor of science degree program for UAS and oversees that as well. He also serves as a Senior Lecturer in Geographic Information Science (GIS) and Cartography at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Additionally, he is self employed as a GIS Data Analyst, Remote Sensing Technician and Pilot Instructor.
In his work as data analyst and remote sensing technician he has mapped millions of acres of wildfires across the West Coast, worked on ani-poaching efforts in Africa, and conducted moose population surveys. Most recently, Willy has been leading efforts to enhance coal mining safety in Kentucky aiming to protect miners by identifying and mapping potential passage collapses.
Willy is also an Instructor Pilot and Backcountry Expedition lead for TacAero where he guides groups of pilots on challenging back country expeditions including to Montana, Utah and Alaska. On these trips he is able to combine technical flying skills with his GIS knowledge ensuring safe and efficient navigation in remote areas.
Willy’s volunteer activities include Junior Achievement Teacher, Women in Aviation Club Advisor, and Mankato Youth Wrestling Club Board Member and Coach.
Willy and his wife, Jackie have three children Brock, Ruby and Remy and are members of Saint John the Baptist Parish.