Br. Casimir J. Gedwill, CSV, a teacher for 20 years in the Commercial Department of St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, IL, died July 5, 1938, as he was receiving the anointing of the sick at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, IL. He was 52.
Br. Gedwill was born on March 10, 1886 in Luakuva, Lithuania. In the early 1900s, his family immigrated to the United States. After years in the business world, he entered the novitiate of the Clerics of St. Viator, professing his First Vows on April 8, 1913 at the St. Viator Normal Institute in Chicago.
In the early 1920s, Br. Gedwill collaborated with the Rev. Lawrence S. Brigmanas, CCJ, in founding the Congregation of Charity of the Sacred Heart for work among the Lithuanians in America. After giving them their canonical start and establishing organizational policies, Br. Gedwill resumed his work at St. Viator College.
In addition to his duties as teacher, during the last nine years of his life, Br. Gedwill was private secretary to the provincial and accountant for the Viatorian Community.
Funeral services were held July 8, at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Bourbonnais. The Rev. John P. O’Mahoney, CSV, provincial, led the procession from the college chapel where the body lay in state, to the church. The Rev. Christopher Marzano, CSV, celebrated the requiem Mass, and the Rev. William J. Cracknell, CSV, served as master of ceremonies. The Rev. John Bradac, CSV, of the Viatorian Mission Band, gave the homily.
Br. Gedwill was laid to rest in the Maternity BVM Cemetery. The last absolution was given at the burial site by the Rev. Lawrence S. Brigmanas, CCJ, provincial.
Taken from two obituary news clippings, sources and dates unknown