Father Edward M. "Eddie" Boney

1950's	1952	1956

Father Boney To Retire; Open House Set Sunday

After serving 42 years in the priesthood, 19 of them as pastor of St. Edward's Catholic Church in Lowell, Rev. Edward M. Boney will retire November 15. He will be honored at an open house this Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Lowell Legion building.

With his sister, Mrs. Cora Bonnie Dudley, Father Boney will reside at 218 Clinton Street in Hammond.

Father Boney was born in Crown Point, the son of Math and Elizabeth Ennis Boney. When he was 14 years old he moved with them to Hammond. He attended St. Lawrence College at Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, and studied at Royal Imperial University, Innbruck, Tyrol, Austria, where he was graduated and ordained a priest in 1914 by the Prime Bishop of Brison, Austria. At the college Father Boney studied languages, of which he knows seven. His first assignment was to the parish at St. John, the first home of his parents. He then served as an assistant at Marion and Mishawaka. For six years he was a chaplain at St. Joseph's academy at Tipton, where he also taught high school classes.

His first pastorate was at Kewanee, then at Hartford City, where he served before coming to Lowell in 1937.

His goal for Lowell is a new church and this he has made possible by accumulating a building fund that totals more than $100,500.

Already world travelers, Father Boney and his sister plan to see many new places of interest.

Public Reception To Honor Father Boney, Retiring Pastor

The announcement last week end of Father Edward M. Boney's retirement as pastor of St. Edward's Catholic church, Lowell, made all of southern Lake County both happy and sad -- happy that he will now have time to travel and pursue other interests, and sad because he and his sister, Mrs. Cora Bonnie Dudley, will be leaving Lowell to make their home in Hammond, where they have property at 218 Clinton Street.

Public Reception Sunday At Lowell Legion Hall

Father Boney's host of area friends are planning a reception in his honor and cordially invite everyone to call at the Lowell American Legion hall between the hours of 3 and 5 o'clock, Sunday afternoon, November 11.

Lowell Pastor 19 Years

This month marks 19 years of pastorate at St. Edward's church for the Reverend Father Boney, and throughout these years he has endeared himself to the entire community -- lending encouragement to civic groups in their efforts for community betterment, and to individuals for self improvement.

Father Boney excels at story telling and because of his broad interests, he is widely sought as a public speaker. His name appears annually on the programs of several local organizations. A group that has enjoyed his talks so often is the Lowell Garden Club. An ardent gardener himself, Father Boney and his sister, Mrs. Dudley, who is a member of the Garden club, have a beautiful flower garden and cultivate many varieties of exquisite roses.

Father Boney's tours of Mexico and South America, beautifully depicted on colored slides, which he highlights with human interest stories, as well as historical facts, have been enjoyed by many community groups. It is always a pleasure to be entertained by Father Boney and his sister, who has made her home with him for a number of years. Mrs. Dudley and her late husband owned a theatrical company, the legitimate stage, in New York City.

Studied In Austria

Father Boney was born April 2, 1890 on South Court Street, in Crown Point. His parents were the late Mathias and Elizabeth (Ennis) Boney.

When he was 14 years old, the family moved to Hammond. "Eddie" attended St. Lawrence College and Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, and studied at the Royal Imperial University, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria. Following graduation there, he was ordained by the Prince Bishop of Brixon, Austria, in 1914. He chose to study at the Australian university because he was interested in languages and there he learned seven languages. Here in Lowell he hears confessions in French, German and Italian, as well as English.

First Assignment at St. John

Father Boney's first assignment was at St. John, Ind., first home of his parents. He also served as an assistant at Marion and Mishawaka, and for six years was chaplain at St. Joseph's Academy at Tipton, Ind., where he also taught high school classes.

His first pastorate was at Kewanee, then Hartford City, and in November of 1937, he came to Lowell.

Father Boney records having solemnized 170 marriages, performed 515 baptisms, and has 175 converts.

Attains Goal

When Father Boney came to Lowell he set as his goal the saving of a church building fund adequate to start construction of a church to replace the one which was destroyed by fire in 1914. Part of the school built in 1914-15 is still being used for Divine Worship.

Father Boney has accumulated a building fund of more than $100,500 and a definite building program will soon get underway.

Rev. Zurawiec, New Appointee

Rev. Chester P. Zurawiec, pastor of St. Joseph's parish at Roanoke, and St. Catherine's parish, Nix Settlement, will come to Lowell.