Father Galen Timothy Vowels went home to his Heavenly Father on June 10, 2020, at the age of 69.  Father Vowels was born on May 7, 1951, and grew up in Charleston, Missouri. An avid Cardinals baseball fan, Father Vowels graduated from St. Henry High School in 1969.  After graduating from St. Louis University in 1973, he attended Kenrick Seminary for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and was ordained a priest on May 21, 1977.

The parishes in which Father Vowels served were Mary Queen of Peace in Webster Groves, Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Louis, St. Martin De Porres in Hazelwood, Incarnate Word of Chesterfield, and Holy Redeemer in Webster Groves. As Deacon Vowels, he served at the St. Louis Cathedral.  Father Vowels also worked for the Society of the Propagation of the Faith.

Father Vowels shared many stories of the families he encountered.  Many of those parishioners became lifelong friends.   He said often that the parishioners were what made his experiences special.

Father Vowels spent 15 years as pastor of Incarnate Word and was known for his love and knowledge of scripture and his wonderful homilies.  They were succinct, powerful, and always provided a cliffhanger ending that really made you think and reflect on how to strengthen your relationship with Jesus.

Father was known for his quick wit, sense of humor, and he always enjoyed a great meme or clever New Yorker cartoons.

Father loved the hundreds of teens that he encountered through the LifeTeen youth ministry program.  He gave them a place to call home at Incarnate Word.  He taught them all to have a lasting relationship with Jesus.  When asked, he said he knew the teens were special from the very first Mass.

In addition to being a devoted Cardinal fan, Father Vowels loved music attending performances at the St. Louis Symphony and the Fox Theatre. He played the organ for many churches while in school.  He also enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family along with his beloved, furry companion, Casper.

Father Vowels is survived by two brothers. Gary (Shirley)Vowels, and Rick Vowels; nephews, Daren (Kim) Vowels, Scott  (Melissa) Vowels, Nathan Vowels, and Nolen (Stephanie) Vowels;  and nieces, Megan Vowels Smith and Laura (Dave) Vowels Brackett.   He had many adoring grandnephews and grandnieces, Haleigh (Brad) Vowels Coleman, Lauren Vowels, Kelsey Brackett, Blake Brackett, Adeline Vowels, Slaten Vowels, Declan Vowels, Madison Smith, Caleb Smith, and Kaitlyn Smith.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Clifford E. and Marcelle (Barnbrook) Vowels, one brother Clifford Hugh Vowels, and a sister-in-law Diana Vowels.

Visitation for Father Vowels will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, June 15, and Funeral Mass will be  Tuesday, June 16, at 9:30 AM.  Both will be held at Incarnate Word Parish in Chesterfield, MO.  Graveside services will be at IOOF Cemetery in Charleston, MO at 3:30 PM following Mass.

Memorials may be given as a gift of support to the LifeTeen Youth Group Ministry here at Incarnate Word, any inclusion program in the school which Father initiated, or the Society of the Propagation of the Faith.