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Rev. C. Edward Stengel, O.S.A. (1895 - 1978)

Rev. C. Edward Stengel, O.S.A. entered eternal life May 31, 1978.

Charles Edward Stengel was born December 10, 1895 in Reading, Pennsylvania to Henry and Catherine (Ernst) Stengel. He was Baptized December 22, 1895 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Reading.

Edward received his education at St. Paul Parochial School, Reading, in Reading Public Schools and at Villanova Prep, Villanova, Pennsylvania. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate in 1920, and professed vows in the Order of St. Augustine June 28, 1921.

He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, in 1924 and an M. A. in Education from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., in 1927. After pursuing theological studies, he was ordained a Priest August 29, 1926.

Father Stengel was first assigned to St. Peter Catholic Parish, Aurora, Illinois, then to St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois. When the new Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) was formed in 1941, Father Stengel was affiliated to that Province. He was elected to the first Council of the new Province and was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois.

Three years later he was transferred to St. Monica Seminary, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where he was Prior (local superior) and Procurator (business manager), while continuing to serve on the Province Council. In 1953 he was named Prior at St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan.

He was transferred in 1962 to St. Rita Monastery, Chicago, where he was Procurator. He retired at St. Monica Monastery, Oconomowoc, in 1971.

He died of respiratory failure May 31, 1978.

He was originally buried at St. Mary's Hall Cemetery, Villanova. When that cemetery was relocated to the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Father Stengel's body was moved there.

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