Name: Visitation for Rev. Monsignor William H. Schwartz
Start: 2024-02-09T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-02-09T17:00:00.000Z
Location: the Cathedral of St. Peter

Rev. Monsignor William H. Schwartz
Born: May 18, 1943
Died: January 31, 2024
The Chancery received word that Reverend Monsignor William H. Schwartz, P.A., S.T.L., 80, of Williams Bay, WI., died on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, while under hospice care in Oregon.
Monsignor was born on May 18, 1943, in Aurora, IL, to Harry and Eula Mable (Satterlee) Schwartz. Monsignor attended and graduated high school from Marmion Military Academy (1957-1961). He then attended Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa (1961-1965) where he received a BA in History. He then attended The Pontifical North American College, Rome, Italy (1965-1969) where he received a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.).
Monsignor Schwartz was ordained to the priesthood on December 20, 1968, by the Most Reverend Francis Reh in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Monsignor's first assignments were as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Parish, Elgin (1969-1971) and on the faculty of St. Edward Central Catholic High School, Elgin (1971-1972). He then was assigned as Director of Religious Education at Newman Central Catholic High School (1972-1976), Sterling, Assistant Principal at Newman CCHS (1975), and Principal at Newman CCHS (1975-1976). He then was assigned as Parochial Vicar to St. Mary Parish, McHenry (1976-1977), and then was appointed Administrator of St. Andrew Parish, Rock Falls (1977-1978). He was also appointed Diocesan Associate Scout Chaplain (1978-1996). He then was appointed Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Sterling, Illinois (1978), and then Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Sterling, Illinois, and DRE at Newman CCHS, Sterling, Illinois (1978-1983). He then was appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish, DeKalb, Illinois (1983-1995). He also served as Associate Vocation Director and Director of the Branches Vocation Discernment Program (1983-1994). Monsignor was appointed Rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford (1995-2007). He also served as a member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council (1996-2006), as a part-time teacher at Boylan CCHS, Rockford (1995-2007), as Assistant Principal and DRE of Boylan CCHS, Rockford (2000-2006), and as a member of the Priests' Health Committee (2001-2006). He then was assigned as Director of the Permanent Diaconate (2007-2012). He was named a Prelate of Honor in 1996 and a Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary-the highest level of "Monsignor" in 2000 by Pope St. John Paul II.
Monsignor Schwartz retired from active ministry on June 29, 2012. He continued to assist on weekends at St. Catherine Parish, Sharon, WI (2007-2016). He was a professor at George Williams College of Aurora University, Williams Bay, WI, teaching history, government, and theology, and serving as Director of Spirituality (2007-2023).
Monsignor served many thousands of people during his priestly ministry. Reflecting on his years of priestly service, he identified five keywords that summed up his desire to spread the Gospel in persona Christi-in the person of Christ. Those words - Priest, Pastor, Teacher, Uncle, Friend - are engraved upon his memorial stone. They are the words by which he wished to be remembered.
Monsignor is preceded in death by his parents Harry and Eula (Satterlee) Schwartz, his brother Robert and sister-in-law Beverly. He is survived by five nephews; Mark (Rebecca) of Montgomery, Stephen (Amy) of Aurora, Matthew (Julie) of Rockford, David (Emily) of Rockford and Thomas of South Elgin. He is also survived by nine great nephews and nieces; Lucy, Neal, Michael, Dominic, Will, Liam, Gabriel, Nora and Samuel.
Mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church Street, Rockford. Visitation will take place 9:00-11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral prior to the Funeral Mass. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Serenity Hospice and Home, 1658 IL-2 Oregon, IL 61061, Newman Central Catholic High School, 1101 W. 23rd Street Sterling, IL 61081 or Boylan Central Catholic High School, 4000 St. Francis Drive Rockford, IL 61103. Arrangements are being completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Rockford, IL. www.fitzgeraldfh.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily-Chronicle on Feb. 3, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for William Schwartz

14 Entries

Terry Cooney

December 19, 2024

Remembering you at the holidays.God bless you for your friendship and mentorship.

Sue Pelikan

December 18, 2024

December 2nd came and went without a Christmas card. It was sad after so many years. I am sure there is joy in heaven with his presence.

Linda Anderson

February 29, 2024

What a legacy Father Schwartz left on earth. I always enjoyed conversing with him at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb, Illinois

Betty Kinniry

February 16, 2024

Fr Schwartz was our pastor for 12 years. He was so kind to me when my husband died. His sermons were so excellent. He is surely sitting beside our Lord in heaven.

Susan Pelikan

February 11, 2024

Father Schwartz was such a blessing to our family. He came to DeKalb just a few weeks before my husband and I got married. Our wedding was just wonderful. I joined the Catholic church when our oldest son was about a year old. He baptized all four of our children. The best part about him for me, is that he took the time to know the families. He always took time to listen to a person. He always took the time after mass to greet people as they left church. My husband and I would have been married 40 years last summer, and I don't believe our family has missed a Christmas card from him in all that time. He is absolutely right when he says he was a priest, pastor, teacher, uncle, and friend. I miss the days when we had 400 students at our school, and a person had to get to church early or they wouldn't get a seat. His are some very big shoes for someone to fill. I don't think I have met anyone who cared more about the faith lives of those he met. Rest in peace.

Joel Burian

February 8, 2024

Very nice man and wonderful priest when he was at Newman HS in Sterling.
Had a gift for kindness and comfort to those in need.

Peggy Hanley

February 7, 2024

There are no words, except to say we are deeply sorry about Bill's passing. He was a great neighbor and friend. He will be missed. RIP our friend. Ray & Peggy Hanley (Lake Geneva, Wi.)

Mike Ackley

Planted Trees

Mike Burke

February 5, 2024

God Bless Father Bill, I first met Father Bill when I purchased my condominium at Interlaken in 2006. He was a wonderful neighbor and friend. I knew he was a man of God and private in nature. He always had a smile and a kind word. He kept to himself, his books and teachings. May he rest in peace.

Mary Krupp

February 4, 2024

Msgr. Schwartz had the gift of being able to relate to people of all ages. Tom and I are especially grateful that he was the pastor of St. Mary Dekalb during the time when our boys were growing up. I also had the privilege of being on staff with him. he was an outstanding homilist, teacher, and leader. He brought many of his flock closer to Jesus, and I have no doubt that he is now resting with his Lord. He will be missed, but wonderful memories remain. Sending prayers for his family, and those who knew and loved him.
Mary East Krupp

Kim Koehler Freitag

February 3, 2024

Monsignor Schwartz was my religion teacher when I was a student at Newman Central Catholic High School in the 1970s, a mentor (I became a teacher and administrator), and friend to me and my husband, Bob. His faith, energy, intelligence, and pastoral care were great gifts that benefited all who were blessed to be a part of his life. He truly loved teaching and his students and was a highly effective instructor. He will be missed on earth as he joins the heavenly communion of saints.

Terry Cooney

February 3, 2024

I am very proud to say I was student of then Father Schwartz at Newman High School from 1974 to 1978. Msr Schwartz was a loved mentor of all the students he came in contact with. We mostly remember his wit, which could be humorously biting if a student needed to be put in their place, as we all did at one time or another. His ability to relate to teenagers and their daily challenges of just being a teenager were greatly appreciated by students and their parents. Msr Schwartz was a scholar, man of great faith, and a natural leader. We all join in the celebration of life of this wonderful man and great member of the Catholic Clergy. God Bless you Msr Schwartz.

Glenda Lundgren

February 3, 2024

We were SO fortunate to have monsignor Schwartz as our pastor at St Mary in DeKalb during our children´s growing up years. I´ve always said that Larry and I and monsignor Schwartz raised our kids. He was also a very important part of the DeKalb High School football team, meeting with all the players, Catholic and not, before every game. He was also on the sidelines at all the games; if not praying for victory, I´m sure praying for safety of all the players! I know I´m a stronger, more faith filled Catholic because of him! May God´s grace and glory be his already.

Shelley Carlson

February 3, 2024

Such a beautiful man of God! I remember him very well from St. Mary´s in DeKalb, Illinois. I have the fondest of memories! We were lucky to have him! Cherish your memories and may he rest in peace!

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results