Rev. Joseph Chester Schwab

Rev. Joseph Chester Schwab, O.M.I. Missionary Oblate Priest For 61 Years Rev. Joseph Chester Schwab, O.M.I., 87, died August 13, 2014 at 03:25 AM after a period of declining health. He was born on September 18, 1926 in Sheldon, NY, a son of the late Albert and Catherine (Bartz) Schwab and one of three children. Fr. Schwab attended high school in E. Aurora, NY. He attended Canisius College, Buffalo, NY and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He also attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where he earned a masters degree and a PhD in psychology. He entered the Tewksbury, MA novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on September 7, 1946. There, he professed his first vows on September 8, 1946. His perpetual vows were professed in Essex, MA on September 8, 1950. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1953 by the late Bishop Arsene Turquetil, O.M.I. Fr. Schwab was a teacher from 1953 to 1971, first at Bishop Fallon High School in Buffalo, NY then at Our Lady of Hope College in Newburgh, NY. He spent the next four years in Washington, D.C. where he continued his studies at Oblate College. In 1975, he was assigned to St. Stephen's Parish in Miramar FL, where he was the pastor until 1981. His next assignment sent him to Millington, TN where he was the Pastor of St. William's Parish. From 1985 to 1990 he was President of Oblate College, Washington, D.C. In 1990, he was assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Madison, FL and St. Margaret Parish in Monticello, FL as pastor. In 2000 he took on full time ministry as chaplain at Jefferson Correctional Institution in Monticello. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Paul. He is survived by his sister, Mary Schwab of Prescott, Arizona and a nephew Greg Schwab of Houston, TX. There will be viewing hours and a wake service, Friday August 15, 2014 at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church 186 NW Sumter Street; Madison, FL from 7:00PM to 9:00PM. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 9:00AM at Saint Margaret Catholic Church; 1565 E. Washington Street; Monticello, FL. Beggs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements 850-973-2258. You may send your condolences to the family by visiting our website at www.beggsfuneral.com

Rev. Joseph Chester Schwab

September 18, 1926 - August 13, 2014