Rev. Thomas McKeon

MCKEON

Posted By: Lynn McCleary (email)
Date: 6/26/2023 at 08:28:34

Daily Gazette
March 8, 1873

Death of Father McKeon.

The death of Rev. Thomas McKeon formerly assistant Pastor of St. Anthony's church, was announced in the city yesterday morning. He expired at Mercy Hospital late on Thursday night. His illness was cancer, which appeared on his lower lip about a year ago, and finally affected his throat so that life became a burden and death was longed for.

The deceased was 31 years of age. He was born in the county of Longford, Ireland. He was a student of theology with Father Flavin, present pastor of St. Anthony's and was ordained at Niagra Falls in 1871 for this diocese, and came to Davenport immediately afterward. He was transferred to Ringgold and adjoining counties for missionary service, about a year ago, but his diocese compelled him to resign his pastorship and seek medical advice. He went to Dubuque, where an operation was performed on his lip, but the cancer had spread so that the operation was ineffectual. He then sought the best medical advice in the West, but was told he must die - and ten months since came to Mercy Hospital, perfectly resigned to his fate.

The funeral services will be conducted at St. Anthony's church to-day. First mass at 7 o'clock, second at 8, and the office for the dead at 9, to be followed by a solemn requiem mass, after which the remains will be conveyed to St. Mary's Cemetery.