Thomas J. Schwinn 2009-1931

SCHWINN, PHELAN

Posted By: Nancy (email)
Date: 7/21/2009 at 18:43:57

A Funeral Mass for the Rev. Thomas J. Schwinn, 77, of DeSoto, Wis., formerly of West Union and Fayette, Iowa, will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) by Archbishop Daniel Kucera, OSB, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Fairfax.

Visitation was set for 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, at the church and for one hour prior to the service at the church today.

Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.

Father Schwinn died Sunday, July 19, 2009, at Gundersen Hospital in LaCrosse, Wis.

Father Schwinn was born Dec. 21, 1931, and grew up in Cedar Rapids. He was the fifth of five children of Charles and Mary Schwinn.

Father Schwinn was ordained Feb. 1, 1958, by Archbishop Leo Binz at St. Raphael Cathedral. His first assignment was as an associate at Sacred Heart in Oelwein. He was appointed to Immaculate Conception in Lansing in 1963 and to St. Mary's in Cascade in 1968.

In 1974, Father Schwinn was named to the faculty of Aquin High School in Cascade. During this time he also served at Holy Trinity in Baldwin and St. Peter's in Temple Hill until being appointed an associate at St. Patrick's in Cedar Rapids in 1976.

In 1977, he was named pastor of St. Mary's in Dorchester and St. Mary's in Hanover, returning as pastor of St. Mary's in Cascade in 1979.

In 1986 Father Schwinn was appointed pastor of Holy Name in West Union, of St. Francis of Assisi in Fayette in 1992, and St. Patrick's in Fairfax and Holy Trinity in Walford in 1994.

Father Schwinn retired in 2001. He celebrated his 50th anniversary in the priesthood in 2008.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and two brothers, Dr. Pete Schwinn and Donald Schwinn, Esq.

He is survived by his sister, Betty (Paul) Phelan; a brother, Bob; many nieces and nephews.

Fayette County Union - 21 July 2009