Fred Phelps Sr., the founder of controversial Westboro Baptist Church, is reportedly near death and is being cared for at the Midland Hospice house in Topeka, Kansas.

The update on the 84-year-old was provided by his estranged son Nathan Phelps, who posted a message to Facebook over the weekend.

Nathan Phelps wrote: "He is now on the edge of death at Midland Hospice house in Topeka, Kansas." He continued, "I'm not sure how I feel about this. Terribly ironic that his devotion to his god ends this way. Destroyed by the monster he made.

"I feel sad for all the hurt he's caused so many. I feel sad for those who will lose the grandfather and father they loved. And I'm bitterly angry that my family is blocking the family members who left from seeing him, and saying their good-byes."

Steve Drain, a spokesman for the church told AP on Sunday: "I can tell you that Fred Phelps is having some health problems. He's an old man, and old people get health problems."

There were reports that Fred Phelps was excommunicated from his church last year, but the reason for his removal is unclear.

Nathan Phelps, who left his father's church 37 years ago, posted on Facebook: "The ex-communicated part is still not clear to me. I only have hearsay on the reason, and two different versions, so I wont comment at this point other than to say he was moved into another house and watched over so he wouldn't harm himself."

The controversial Westboro church is infamous for its vulgar pickets at funerals of fallen U.S. soldiers and celebrities.