The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1912-05-23
REV. JOS. P. LEVINGS
Beloved Pastor of st. Edwards Cath.
olic Church is Stricken in the
Prime Of His rlanhood.
Simplicity, Generosity and Broad.
rlindedness Were Characters.
tic of This Noble Man.

~
Rev. Joseph P. Levings, for more
than II years the beloved pastor of
st. Edwards Catholic church, is no
more. At 3 o CLOCK on Sunday morn
ing at the Northwestern hospital in
this village his spirit winged it's fight
to Him who gave it.
Father Levings, although never
robust man, was apparently in his
usual. health when he retired last
Thursday evening. During the night
he became suddenly ill and DR.. Armi-
tage was summoned. He was suffer-
ing from strangulated hernia and was
in great pain. Friday afternoon be
arose, went to the telephone and sum-
moned his warm personal friend, Rev.
F. Zitur of Clear Lake. Rev. Zitur
knew from the agony in Father Lev
ings' voice that he was suffering in
tensely and he Immediately procured
an automobile and in less than two
hours was at the sick mans bedside.
Not being acquainted with the
doctors of Princeton, Father. Zitur
telephoned to DR.. c. B. Lewis of st.
Cloud to come at once and bring
trained nurse. DR.. Lewis and the
nurse arrived some time Friday even
ing. There was unnecessary delay
who is to blame we do not know-it
was urged that he be taken to St.
Cloud or a St. Paul hospital to
undergo an operation; but Father
Levings knew he could not survive
the trip and be insisted upon being
taken to the Northwestern hospital
and operated upon at once. Satur-
day forenoon he was removed to the
hospital and the operation was sue
cessfulIy performed by DR.. q. G.
Cooney, one of the most skillful sur
geons in the state, assisted by DR..
Lewis. But the operation had been
delayed too long: gangrene had set in
and the surgeons knew it was hope
less case. The Father rallied from
the operation and fingered until 3 a.
m. Sunday morning, when the end
came. .. :,
Only few knew of Father Levings'
illness, but when it was realized that
his condition was serious many a
prayer was waited heavenward, not
only by members of his own devoted
flock but by people unused to- pray
ing, for his recovery. When it was
learned that he was dead the entire
community was plunged in the deepest
grief; strong men choked with emo
ton and shed tears. Rev. Service in
the M. E. church, Rev: Fisher in the
Congregational church, and Rev. Ali
in the German Lutheran church, at
morning services, feelingly alluded
to the sad event and paid glowing
tributes to the memory of their de-
parted brother.
> The remains we're removed TO
Ross undertaking establishment and
embalmed, and at 6 O'Clock Sunday
afternoon we're conveyed to St. Ed
wards church by the Order of
Foresters together with a. large con-
course of citizens generally, each and
all of whom we're visibly affected.
The remains lay in state in the
church until yesterday morning; when
the funeral services we're held, and
we're viewed by thousands, many COM
ing from Mora, Milaca, Foreston and
the surrounding territory, to bid a
sorrowful adieu to one who in life
they loved so we'll: -
Impressive indeed were the funeral
services conducted in St. Edwards
Catholic church yesterday morning
by Right Rev. James Trobec, D. D.,
bishop of the St. Cloud diocese, and
II members of the priesthood. The
neat edifice which Father Levings
loved so we'll was filled to its utmost
capacity by people of all religious
denominations-by those who honored
and respected him. So great was the
assemblage which came from all parts
OF the surrounding country to pay
respect to the memory of this kindly.
lovable man that the church's capaci-
ty was inadequate to ACCOMMODATES
all and many were compelled to re-
main without. AS the solemn, pontif-
cal requiem mass, celebrated by
Bishop Trobec and participated in BY
the attendant priests, proceeded it
was not difficult to determine that
Father Levings held a high place in
the hearts of the audience a place of
affection fully demonstrated by the
tears which flowed from the ewes of
those assembled. The church was a
veritable house Of mourning.
At the conclusion of the imposing
requiem mass, Father Edward Jones
OF Morris, 9 particular friend Of