Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-10-14

latter place being afterwards set aside
as a parish by itself
He was pastor and priest whose
first great care was for the welfare of
the people over whom he had been
placed, and he was not only loved by
his own flock but was highly esteemed
by all who knew him. He magnifed
his office and fearlessly expounded the
doctrines and teachings of the Roman
Catholic Church While he was posis
tive in his convictions of right and
duty he was ever mindful of the
opinions and rights of others.
Father OKeefe was man of learn
ing and possessed library of the choic-
est books of ancient and modern au-
thOrs. He was man of commanding
presence and an orator of far more than
ordinary ability He appealed to the
heart and to the intellect, and ever
found his listeners responsive to his
words of instruction and admonition.
AS pastor of st. Paul's Catholic
church and the missions connected
Herewith Father O'Keefe was faithful
to duty. During these thirty nine
years he labored for the extension of
the Catholic faith and the upbuilding
of the Catholic churches in southwest
ern Wisconsin. In recognition of his
zeal and worth Bishop Schwebach APP
pointed him Dean. He was especially
solicitous for the advancement of candi-
dates for the priesthood and through his
influence number of young men We're
prepared for the sacred office.
The funeral took place on Tuesday
morning, and was very largely attended,
Services were held at ten o'clock in st.
Paul's Catholic church. Rt. Rev Mon
signOr, Kremer, representing the Bishop
of the Lacrosse diocese, was celebrant
of the Mass; Rev. W. j. Mccormick,
deacon; Rev. j. F. Barry, sub deacon;
Rev. James Cleary, master of cere-
monies
The sermon was preached by Rev. d.
d. Hishen of Chicago, and was a touch
ing and eloquent tribute to the life and
services of the dead Priest.
1t is appropriate to state here that the
Mass was said from the new and
beautiful altar which had just been
placed in the church under the direc-
ton of the deceased pastor.
Forty-one Priests We're present
namely:
Rev. Fathers R. j. Roche, Milwau-
kee; j. F. Nc Ginnity, Gratiot; F. j.
Lillis, Platteville; NJ. Luby, Chicago;
James J. Nc Guire, Cuba City: John
Buckley, Delavan; L. P. O'Reilly,
Ridgeway, W. A. Goebel, Janesville
J. E. Harlem, Edgerton James Nevin,
Lyndon Station, George Loughney,
Cedarsburg; H. f. Murphy, Columbus;
D. D. Hishen, Chicago; George Schlei
cher, Lancaster; John Field, Fennimore;
F. A. Wambold, Mauston; M E,
Downs, Whitewater; G. j. Eicher
H. F. Fairbanks, Milwau
kee; F. Orthen, Mt. Hope VIM.
Schmidt, Muncie, Ind; M. A. Condor,
Oregon; G.. F. Mcbride, Oconomowoc;
A. A. Birsner, Highland; M. H. Nc
Nulty, Argyle, Thomas E. Hodnett,
Chicago, J. P. Croke, Shullsburg, M. B.
Norton, Doylestown; John J. Darcy,
Morris, H.. A. July, Mt. Horeb;
Eugene Reilly, Evansville; M. Wrenn,
Kendaltown; Stephen Trant, Racine;
Thomas Dempsey, Monroe; J. S. Smith,
Brodhead, N. Weyer, Mineral Point;
D. J. Haggerty, s. G. Notre Dame,
Indiana; F. MahOney, Parnell, Iowa;
James Cleary, Perry, Iowa; w. j. Nc
Cormick, Melrose, Iowa; M. Harmon,
Darlington, J. Barry, Hollandale.
The pail bearers We're: Rev. Fathers
Barry, Mccormick, Hishen, Cleary,
Darcy, and Haggerty. The burial was
in st. Paul's cemetery.
Father O'Keefe is survived by a sis
ter Mrs. J. J. Corners of Grand Forks,
n. Oak, and a sister in law, Mrs.
Arthur O'Keefe of Tacoma, Wash, both
of whom were present at the funeral