My priest last night died in a car accident...I'm devastated. I've just come from church where I sat and thought of him. I just got home and was watching the news and they said apparently he didn't have a seatbelt on...I wanted to scream! You see, Father Chuck was a big, big man and you know the seatbelt didn't fit!!!! For the cost of a few extra inches in that seatbelt mechanism I lost my priest. I'm confused, scared, and thinking of all these things...obesity probably caused Father his life, but in a way most will never understand....I mean the news lady said it like "oh shame on him no seatbelt" noone understand the plight of a heavy person the turmoil...oh my god my priest just died and I'm sooo heartbroken. Surgery in 10 days and life is so up in the air for me..he was heavy and happy and now he's gone...so many questions....

FullofGRACE, my condolences to you and your parish. (and how hard it must be to know he died because his seatbelt didn't fit:think )

Terri

Oh, I'm so sorry!

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you find peace within your parish, death really brings members together. Is there someone for grief counseling at the church? ~Mandy

Truly tragic. God rest his soul and comfort those he left behind.

So sorry to hear of your loss. It is often difficult to find the words to help at a time like this. Please know you and Father Chuck are in my prayers.

Rachel

I'm sorry to hear of your loss and am especially sad because it was so unnecessary.

I am so sorry. Please know my thoughts are with you and I pray you take care of yourself during this time of grief.:think

Dear FullofGrace,

I was directed to this site by accident and was not a member until I read your post. I am still not clear as to what this site is all about but I had to join in order to post this note to you.

I feel a terrible sadness for Father Chuck. You see, I am not a heavy person, but I am aware of the hurdles that heavy people face each and every day. I see it each day, for I work in a Catholic elementary school and there are two youngsters that come to mind while I write this. They are both girls in the 6th grade. They are both terribly overweight and obviously depressed about it. The other children in their class do not make fun of them or tease them, as that is not tolerated in our school. However it is clear by the routines of the day that they are not welcomed into many of the activities the children engage in during recess or free-time. I pray for them each day and hope they find the strength to rid themselves of their excess weight in order to be healthier people, and also to help their self-esteem. I pray that while they do that, they learn to love the people they are and realize that God makes us all beautiful.

I appear to have gone off track, but I wanted you to know that while many can seem intolerable of heavier people, most of us do understand, and we are pulling for you. Perhaps in reality, Father Chuck did not die in vain. Perhaps God needed him to send a message that you need to take the best care of yourself that you can. Please know that my prayers are with you and Father Chuck.

~Laura.

I grew up in Dayton and attended Chamindade-Julienne. Although I didn't know Father Chuck personally, I did know of him. This is truly sad. What makes this even sadder is the report put out by WHIOTV.com (the local Dayton station). Here's the link: http://www.whiotv.com/newsarchive/10212161/detail.html. This is like adding salt to the wound whether it's true or not.

OSP: Priest Intoxicated When He Crashed

POSTED: 2:50 pm EST November 1, 2006

UPDATED: 9:06 am EST November 2, 2006

HAMILTON, Ohio -- The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate a fatal accident that claimed the life of a local priest.

The accident happened around 3 a.m. Tuesday on northbound Interstate 75 near Route 129 in Butler County.

Troopers said the investigation has revealed that the Rev. Charles Mentrup, 47, of Middletown, was intoxicated and had a blood-alcohol level that was three times Ohio’s legal driving limit.

Investigators said the Butler County Coroner’s Office found a tax receipt from the Argosy Casino among Mentrup’s personal items. The tax receipt was stamped at 1:47 a.m. Oct. 31.

Troopers said Mentrup lost control of his vehicle, slid off the right side of the road, struck an embankment, overturned and then was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said Mentrup was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Mentrup was pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Franklin; however, he has several ties to the Miami Valley, including Alter High School.

"Father Chuck," as he was known, came to Alter High School in 1988 as a teacher. He then became athletic director until 1993.

Mentrup was also the associate pastor of Incarnation Church in Centerville, but most recently, he was pastor of St. Mary’s in Franklin.

May he rest in peace and may those hurting over this terrible lose, find peace in their heart that they will one day see him again. God Bless.

You are in my thoughts and prayers, FullofGrace.

Kat.

God be with the ones he left behind. That really must of been very devastateing for you to of seen it on television. I can't even imagine how you must of felt.

May the people he left behind be comforted by the arms of God.

So sorry

I think this site is a wonderful place to post this info--not too many people know this....but if you drive a Honda you cannot get a seat belt extension...they do not offer them and do not let you know where you can get one that will fit your belt system. If you drive a Honda you must be able to use the unit provided...and if you are more than 6ft and 215 lbs they do not fit. NAFA has this info posted--since it is the law in most states that you must wear a belt this does not work--in our family we have 5 Hondas and 2 people who do not fit the belt...I have done all in my power to fight the system, including forwarding my ticket to honda directly but to no avail--now I have contacted the attny gen of Il..waiting for an answer...this is just info, but i am banning Hondas and the next car I but will be a toyota....and thank G-d I am on my way to being a normal size...

Thanks Violet I agree what can be done to make car manufacturers make the seatbelts bigger of offer free with the car some sort of extender? I'm thinking on this and I too will come up with a way to try and take this higher.

Paladin, yes it is true I'm afraid. I often saw Father at Argosy so was not surprised he was coming home late...I have to say I am shocked he was drunk, but do not hold this against him. He gave so much to so many and never was drunk in front of me or my son or at church. I guess to me what he did in his private life was his own business. It's truly a shame that they had to print that thought just t o add to drama. NOTICE. STILL NOONE HAS DISCOVERED THE SEATBELT DIDN'T FIT~

God Bless you. may He surround you and the church with love and comfort.