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Rev. Edward J. Merwath, O.S.A. (1909-1951)

Rev. Edward J. Merwath, O.S.A. entered eternal life June 30, 1951.

Edward Joseph Merwath was born July 22, 1909 in Easton, Pennsylvania, to Edward and Susan (Gallagher) Merwath. He was Baptized July 25, 1909 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Easton. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation November 6, 1917 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Easton.

Edward received his elementary education at St. Joseph School and Holy Infancy School, both in Easton. He is a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. After earning his high school diploma, he did a year of post-graduate studies at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 11, 1930. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 12, 1931 and solemn (permanent) vows September 12, 1934.

He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College in 1935. He then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D. C. He was ordained a Priest June 7, 1938.

Father Merwath was assigned in 1939 to St. Augustine Catholic Church, Detroit, Michigan, as Assistant Pastor. When the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) was established in 1941, he became affiliated to that Province. In 1942 he moved to St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois, where he served as Teacher and Athletic Director.

In 1947 Father Merwath was assigned to St. Monica Seminary, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where he was Director of the Augustinian Seminary Guild. He returned to the educational apostolate in 1949, when he became a Teacher at St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois.

He was in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where his brother and five of his six sisters lived, when he became ill. He was hospitalized at Sacred Heart Hospital, Bethlehem. Later he was transferred to Misericordia Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he died June 30, 1951 of heart disease.

Father Merwath is buried in the Augustinian Cemetery at Villanova.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.