Reverend Melvyn Vlasz, 94, died on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Alpine Fireside in Rockford, where he was a resident.

Father was born on June 1, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois to Julius J. Vlasz and Julia (Werth) Vlasz. Father Vlasz attended St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa (1955-1959) where he received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He attended seminary at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. (1959-1963). Father went on to further his studies and received a master’s degree in divinity at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1978 he went on to receive his master’s in education at Boston College.

Father Vlasz was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1963, by the Most Reverend Loras Lane at St. James Parish in Rockford. Father’s first assignment was as Parochial Vicar of SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Cary (1963). He then was assigned Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Parish, Elgin (1963-1964). Father was Parochial Vicar of St. Anne Parish, Dixon (1964-1967). Father then went on to serve as Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Crystal Lake (1967-1970). He served on the faculty at Aurora Central Catholic High School, Aurora (1970-1973). He also served on the faculty at Boylan Central Catholic High School, Rockford (1973-1982). In 1976 Father was appointed Administrator of St. Peter Parish, South Beloit, and Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Roscoe. He was appointed as Notary for the Diocese of Rockford Tribunal (1978-1981). Later Father was appointed Assistant Secretary for the Diocese of Rockford Tribunal (1982-1985). Father was also Chaplain of Maria Linden in Rockford (1982-1985). Father went on to serve as Parochial Vicar of St. Jude Parish, Atlanta, Georgia (1985-1987), and Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Atlanta, Georgia (1987-1988). He later was assigned Parochial Vicar of St. Bridget Parish, Loves Park (1988-1989), Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Sycamore (1989-1990), and Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford (1992-1995). Father Vlasz retired from active ministry in September 1995. In 1995, he was appointed as Chaplain of Cor Mariae in Rockford (1995-1998).

Father Vlasz is predeceased by his parents Julius J. Vlasz and Julia (Werth) Vlasz, his brothers Donald and Claude and sister Chris Light. Father is survived by his sisters-in-law, Barbara and Carol and his two nephews, Vince and Vance  

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church Street, Rockford, Illinois. Private burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Winnebago, Illinois. Arrangements are being completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., Rockford, Illinois.