Father Eugene L. FINNELL
- Born: 16 Mar 1930, Illinois, USA
- Died: 27 Dec 2008 at age 78
Cause of his death was head injury due to a fall.
Another name for Eugene was Gene L. FINNELL.
Noted events in his life were:
• Occupation: ordained a priest, 1956, St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA.
• Obituary: Peoria Journal Star, 2008, Illinois, USA. Eugene Finnell
MACKINAW - Father Eugene L. Finnell, 78, of Mackinaw passed away peacefully at 2:32 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, from a head injury due to a recent fall.
He was born March 16, 1930, in Pontiac, Ill., to Leo and Irene (Swager) Finnell.
Surviving are his brothers and sisters, Marilyn (Richard) Welle of Collinsville, Ill., Dr. Charles (JoAnn) Finnell of Tulsa, Okla., Carol Fender of Logansport, Ind., Dale (Mary) Finnell of East Peoria, Allan (Sarah) Finnell of Chenoa, Ill., and Gayle (Robert) Juarez of Hayward, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, John "Jack" Finnell; three nephews; and one niece.
Father Finnell completed his studies at the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and was ordained a priest on May 27, 1956.
He served as Parish Priest at Holy Family Church in Oglesby, Ill., and Holy Cross in Champaign until 1959. He then received his master's degree in education from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1961.
He then taught and was a guidance counselor at Marquette High School in Ottawa, Ill., until becoming Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Peoria Diocese from 1961 to 1965. He then became Director of Vocations for the Peoria Diocese and later Superintendent of Catholic Education for Schools and Religious Education for the Peoria Diocese.
In 1972, he was appointed Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton, where he served for 28 years, retiring in 2000.
Following his retirement, he served as Pastor Emeritus and still managed an active work schedule, celebrating Mass at local parishes, including Hopedale, Delavan, Pekin and Eureka. In June of 2006, Father Finnell celebrated 50 years in the Priesthood.
He was a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus and served as Chaplain for the Father John Raho Council 4194 of Morton from 1972 to 1987.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton, where Bishop Daniel Jenky will preside. Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at the church. After visitation, a Service of Remembrance will take place, followed by recitation of the rosary. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Pontiac, Ill.
Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home in Morton is handling arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School, 233 E. Greenwood St., Morton, IL 61550.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.knappjohnson.com <http://www.knappjohnson.com>.
• Cemetery: St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Pontiac [Emington], 2008, Livingston County, Illinois, USA.
|
