SULPHUR -- Father Lawrence Anthony Kohler, M.S., 89, a Missionary of Our Lady of LaSalette, died May 15, 2024. Fr. Kohler has served at Our Lady of LaSalette Parish in Sulphur since 1986 and served as Pastor of the parish from 2000-2006.
Following his retirement, he remained in residence, assisting in ministry until 2014. His last years were marked by declining health, but also by a strong and steady faith in the midst of his suffering, and with a continuing interest in the life and future of his religious community. He also continued to keep a lively interest in and concern and thanksgiving for his friends and parishioners of Our Lady of LaSalette Church.
He was born June 15, 1934, in St. Louis, Missouri, son of the late Eugene J. and Cecilia (Ryan) Kohler. He attended grammar and high school in St. Louis followed by the LaSalette Junior Seminary in Jefferson City, Missouri from 1948 to 1952. He continued his college education at the LaSalette Seminaries in Hartford, Connecticut and Altamont, New York, earning a bachelor’s degree. Father Kohler entered the Novitiate of the Missionaries of LaSalette in East Brewster, MA on July 1, 1954, and made his First Profession on July 2, 1955, and his Perpetual Profession on July 2, 1958. He was ordained to the Priesthood on September 24, 1961, at Our Lady of LaSalette Church in Rome, Italy.
Over the years Father was a Professor at the LaSalette Seminary in Jefferson City, Missouri; ministered in parishes in Missouri, Michigan and Louisiana, as well as in the foreign missions in Madagascar. He was a gifted preacher and teacher. His primary apostolate for many years was traveling throughout the United States preaching missions and retreats.
In addition to his La Salette Community, Father Kohler is survived by his sister, Loretta and her husband, Dr. Paul Hein, Jr. of Missouri, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Dr. Eugene and Cecilia Kohler; brothers, Rev. Peter D. Kohler, M.S., who was also a Missionary of LaSalette; Rev. Joseph Kohler, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri, John, Richard, Eugene, and Henry Kohler; as well as his sister, Betty.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church of Sulphur. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. Rosary on Monday, May 20, 2024, at Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church, 602 North Claiborne Street, Sulphur. Burial will be at Mimosa-Pines South Cemetery, 568 Belle Moye Road, Sulphur, under the direction of Johnson and Robison Funeral Home. Contributions in his memory may be made to: Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 331370, West Hartford, CT 06133.
