Father Martin Witting, O.S.B., age 80, a Benedictine monk of Marmion Abbey, Aurora, died peacefully in the Lord on Saturday, February 24, 2007, at the Abbey, attended by his brother monks.
He is survived by the members of the monastic community; his
brother, John and sister-in-law, Marian of Evansville, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews and their children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Laurina Hillenbrand Witting.
Father Martin was born on November 1, 1926 and was baptized Joseph Clarence at Holy Trinity Church, Evansville. He left home in 1940 at the age of 14 to study for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Minor Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana. He entered St. Meinrad Abbey in 1945, and professed his first vows there, on September 15, 1946, taking the name Martin. In 1947, he transferred his vows to the new Marmion Abbey, becoming a founding member. He made solemn profession of vows on August 6, 1948. Father Martin was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1951.
Father Martin began his teaching career at Marmion Academy in 1951. He taught mathematics and physics, history and religion. He was a dormitory prefect in the resident program, bus driver and moderator of the flying club and ham radio club.
In the early 1960's, Father Martin did weekend chaplain duties at Glenview Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois. In 1966 he entered the U.S. Navy as a full time chaplain. During his distinguished career that spanned 26 years, he earned the rank of Captain. He served in the Vietnam War, in Italy, Japan and at sea. He was chaplain for the Marines at Camp LeJune in North Carolina and at Camp Pendleton in California. He was senior chaplain at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis.
After retirement in 1988, Father Martin returned to Marmion. He taught theology at the Academy and was the student chaplain. He served the Abbey as subprior and a member of the Abbot's Council.
Father was always an avid athlete. He was known for his handball skills, as well as his jogging and bicycling. He continued his vigorous exercise until his health began to deteriorate from Parkinson's Disease. He was uncomplaining and a faithful member of the monastic community. His brothers will long remember his determined stride to be present in the Abbey Church for community prayer. Ever an example of the good and faithful monk, Father Martin will be missed by his monastic brothers, family members, students, sailors and Marines, and friends around the world.
Father's body will be received by this monastic community and family on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 4:00 PM. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM in the Abbey Church at 850 Butterfield Rd, Aurora. The Office of the Dead will be prayed at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Thursday, March 1, 2007 from 8:00 AM until the Funeral Mass, which will be celebrated at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Abbey Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, 630-631-5500. www.daleidenmortuary.com
Published in the Beacon News from 2/27/2007 - 3/1/2007.
He is survived by the members of the monastic community; his
brother, John and sister-in-law, Marian of Evansville, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews and their children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Laurina Hillenbrand Witting.
Father Martin was born on November 1, 1926 and was baptized Joseph Clarence at Holy Trinity Church, Evansville. He left home in 1940 at the age of 14 to study for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Minor Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana. He entered St. Meinrad Abbey in 1945, and professed his first vows there, on September 15, 1946, taking the name Martin. In 1947, he transferred his vows to the new Marmion Abbey, becoming a founding member. He made solemn profession of vows on August 6, 1948. Father Martin was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1951.
Father Martin began his teaching career at Marmion Academy in 1951. He taught mathematics and physics, history and religion. He was a dormitory prefect in the resident program, bus driver and moderator of the flying club and ham radio club.
In the early 1960's, Father Martin did weekend chaplain duties at Glenview Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois. In 1966 he entered the U.S. Navy as a full time chaplain. During his distinguished career that spanned 26 years, he earned the rank of Captain. He served in the Vietnam War, in Italy, Japan and at sea. He was chaplain for the Marines at Camp LeJune in North Carolina and at Camp Pendleton in California. He was senior chaplain at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis.
After retirement in 1988, Father Martin returned to Marmion. He taught theology at the Academy and was the student chaplain. He served the Abbey as subprior and a member of the Abbot's Council.
Father was always an avid athlete. He was known for his handball skills, as well as his jogging and bicycling. He continued his vigorous exercise until his health began to deteriorate from Parkinson's Disease. He was uncomplaining and a faithful member of the monastic community. His brothers will long remember his determined stride to be present in the Abbey Church for community prayer. Ever an example of the good and faithful monk, Father Martin will be missed by his monastic brothers, family members, students, sailors and Marines, and friends around the world.
Father's body will be received by this monastic community and family on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 4:00 PM. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM in the Abbey Church at 850 Butterfield Rd, Aurora. The Office of the Dead will be prayed at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Thursday, March 1, 2007 from 8:00 AM until the Funeral Mass, which will be celebrated at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Abbey Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, 630-631-5500. www.daleidenmortuary.com
Published in the Beacon News from 2/27/2007 - 3/1/2007.
Father Martin Witting, O.S.B., age 80, a Benedictine monk of Marmion Abbey, Aurora, died peacefully in the Lord on Saturday, February 24, 2007, at the Abbey, attended by his brother monks.
He is survived by the members of the monastic community; his
brother, John and sister-in-law, Marian of Evansville, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews and their children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Laurina Hillenbrand Witting.
Father Martin was born on November 1, 1926 and was baptized Joseph Clarence at Holy Trinity Church, Evansville. He left home in 1940 at the age of 14 to study for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Minor Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana. He entered St. Meinrad Abbey in 1945, and professed his first vows there, on September 15, 1946, taking the name Martin. In 1947, he transferred his vows to the new Marmion Abbey, becoming a founding member. He made solemn profession of vows on August 6, 1948. Father Martin was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1951.
Father Martin began his teaching career at Marmion Academy in 1951. He taught mathematics and physics, history and religion. He was a dormitory prefect in the resident program, bus driver and moderator of the flying club and ham radio club.
In the early 1960's, Father Martin did weekend chaplain duties at Glenview Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois. In 1966 he entered the U.S. Navy as a full time chaplain. During his distinguished career that spanned 26 years, he earned the rank of Captain. He served in the Vietnam War, in Italy, Japan and at sea. He was chaplain for the Marines at Camp LeJune in North Carolina and at Camp Pendleton in California. He was senior chaplain at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis.
After retirement in 1988, Father Martin returned to Marmion. He taught theology at the Academy and was the student chaplain. He served the Abbey as subprior and a member of the Abbot's Council.
Father was always an avid athlete. He was known for his handball skills, as well as his jogging and bicycling. He continued his vigorous exercise until his health began to deteriorate from Parkinson's Disease. He was uncomplaining and a faithful member of the monastic community. His brothers will long remember his determined stride to be present in the Abbey Church for community prayer. Ever an example of the good and faithful monk, Father Martin will be missed by his monastic brothers, family members, students, sailors and Marines, and friends around the world.
Father's body will be received by this monastic community and family on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 4:00 PM. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM in the Abbey Church at 850 Butterfield Rd, Aurora. The Office of the Dead will be prayed at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Thursday, March 1, 2007 from 8:00 AM until the Funeral Mass, which will be celebrated at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Abbey Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, 630-631-5500. www.daleidenmortuary.com
Published in the Beacon News from 2/27/2007 - 3/1/2007.
He is survived by the members of the monastic community; his
brother, John and sister-in-law, Marian of Evansville, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews and their children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Laurina Hillenbrand Witting.
Father Martin was born on November 1, 1926 and was baptized Joseph Clarence at Holy Trinity Church, Evansville. He left home in 1940 at the age of 14 to study for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Minor Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana. He entered St. Meinrad Abbey in 1945, and professed his first vows there, on September 15, 1946, taking the name Martin. In 1947, he transferred his vows to the new Marmion Abbey, becoming a founding member. He made solemn profession of vows on August 6, 1948. Father Martin was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1951.
Father Martin began his teaching career at Marmion Academy in 1951. He taught mathematics and physics, history and religion. He was a dormitory prefect in the resident program, bus driver and moderator of the flying club and ham radio club.
In the early 1960's, Father Martin did weekend chaplain duties at Glenview Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois. In 1966 he entered the U.S. Navy as a full time chaplain. During his distinguished career that spanned 26 years, he earned the rank of Captain. He served in the Vietnam War, in Italy, Japan and at sea. He was chaplain for the Marines at Camp LeJune in North Carolina and at Camp Pendleton in California. He was senior chaplain at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis.
After retirement in 1988, Father Martin returned to Marmion. He taught theology at the Academy and was the student chaplain. He served the Abbey as subprior and a member of the Abbot's Council.
Father was always an avid athlete. He was known for his handball skills, as well as his jogging and bicycling. He continued his vigorous exercise until his health began to deteriorate from Parkinson's Disease. He was uncomplaining and a faithful member of the monastic community. His brothers will long remember his determined stride to be present in the Abbey Church for community prayer. Ever an example of the good and faithful monk, Father Martin will be missed by his monastic brothers, family members, students, sailors and Marines, and friends around the world.
Father's body will be received by this monastic community and family on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 4:00 PM. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM in the Abbey Church at 850 Butterfield Rd, Aurora. The Office of the Dead will be prayed at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Thursday, March 1, 2007 from 8:00 AM until the Funeral Mass, which will be celebrated at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Abbey Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, 630-631-5500. www.daleidenmortuary.com
Published in the Beacon News from 2/27/2007 - 3/1/2007.
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