Hannon, Father M.J. 1884-1934

HANNON, CASH, MCCUNE, DONOHOE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/5/2010 at 14:54:18

The Grinnell Herald; Jan. 26, 1934

FATHER M.J. HANNON DIES

Beloved Pastor of St. Mary's Church Passes Away Wednesday Evening at 6 O'clock.

FUNERAL AT CHURCH MONDAY AT 10:30 A.M.

Became Pastor in Grinnell Jan. 31, 1912. Was Honored By The Entire Community.

Death brought to a close Wednesday evening at 6 o'clock, the career of a man who for over twenty years has gone up and down in Grinnell, loved and honored not only by the people with whom he was intimately associated but by the whole community.

The death of Rev. Father Maurice Joseph Hannon, pastor of St. Mary's church, takes away not only a beloved pastor but a man who stood foursquare as a loyal citizen and a good friend and it is for this reason that all Grinnell mourns his loss.

Father Hannnon was born March 9, 1884 at Holbrook, Iowa the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hannon. His early education was in the old Oakland school near the Hannon home in Greene county.

In 1899 he entered the St. Ambrose College high school and was graduated from the college department in 1906. On Sept. 1 of that year he entered Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis to prepare for the priesthood. He was ordained June 13, 1909, by the Most Rev. J.J. Glennan, Archbishop of St. Louis. June 13 of this year would have marked the twenty fifth anniversary of his ordination.

He first served as assistant of St. Mary's parish in Davenport where he remained for three years. January 31, 1912, he became the first resident pastor of the Catholic church of Grinnell, where he served until the time of his death. Although there were few Catholics in the community when he took charge, he was instrumental in the purchase of a rectory and the erection of the beautiful St. Mary's church which remain as monuments to his faithful and self sacrificing service.

His kind, unassuming, charitable and jovial disposition, and the deep sincerity of his religious character endeared him to every member of his parish and won for him the esteem and admiration of Grinnell people generally.

He is survived by four brothers, Rev. W.L. Hannon, pastor of St. Mathias Church of Muscatine, and Thomas, Patrick and Ed Hannon of Holbrook, and one sister, Catherine, who was with him during his entire pastorate in Grinnell.

He was preceded in death by a half brother, John Hannon of Omaha, three half sisters, Mrs. Ellen Cash and Mrs. Margaret McCune of Parnell and Mrs. Mike Cash of Milton, Iowa, one sister, Mrs. Winifred Donahoe, a brother James and two half brothers, Matt of Parnell and Dan of Omaha.

Father Hannon's health had been failing for some time and only a few days ago he was taken to Iowa City for hospital treatment. His condition grew rapidly worse and it had been realized for several days that death was only a matter of hours.

Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock from St. Mary's. The solemn requiem mass will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Henry P. Rohlman, Bishop of Davenport. The sermon will be by the Right Rev. Msgr. William P. Shannahan, rector of the Sacred Heart Cathedral of Davenport. The Right Rev. Msgr. C.J. Donohue, pastor of Saint Paul Apostle, also of Davenport, will preside as Arch Priest.

Burial will be at Holbrook. A large attendance of Catholic clergy is expected. The body reached Grinnell this afternoon at 2:30 and will be home until 11 o'clock Sunday morning when it will be taken to the church to lie instate until after the funeral Monday morning. Friends are requested not to send flowers.