REV. CLEMENT P. PETIT
Rev. Clement P. Petit, 82, Rockford, Illinois, died at 2:01 am, Thursday, September 4, 1997 in his home. Born September 15, 1914 in Virgil, Illinois.
Son of Michael John and Elizabeth Katherine Feltes Petit. Graduated from S.S. Peter and Paul Parochial School, Virgil and Fox Valley High School. (now Marmion) Aurora, Illinois in 1932. He studied at St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana where he pursued his classical courses. Afater two years of study at that institution he was assigned to St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland for his courses in philosophy and theology and studied at Louvian University, Leuven, Belgium. He was ordained in St. James Pro-Cathedral on May 18, 1940 by the Most Rev. Edward F. Hoban, Bishop of Rockford. His first appointment was as assistant to the late Rt. Rev. Msgr. John P. McGuire. Fr. Petit had a sepcial ability in sign language for the deaf and has been active in this aposolate since his seminary days. He sang his first Solemn High Mass May 19, 1940 in St. Peter and Paul Church, Virgil. On January 3, 1943 he joined the Knights of Columbus. He became Third Degree Council 736, Aurora and Fourth Degree Marquette Assembly, June 1945. He was assigned as an associate to St. James Pro Cathedral, Rockford, St. Joseph Parish, Aurora and St. Joseph Parish and St. Edward, High School, Elgin. He served as pastor in St. Patrick-St. Mary Maytown, St. Charles Borromeo, Hampshire, St. Therese Parish, Aurora, St. James Parish,Lee. He was the Diocesan Director for the Deaf Apostolate (1940-65), Catholic Rural Life (1955-65), Legion of Mary (1971-89), Co-Ordinator National Shrine D.C. (1971-94), Chaplain of Maria Linden Retirement Home, Rockford (1985-95).
Survivors include his sisters; Julia (Wilbert) Dinges, Sublette, IL., Sr. Marie Petit, OSF, Milwaukee, WI, Lorraine Miller, Virgil, IL., and Sr. Donna Petit, OSF, Milwaukee, brothers’ Herman J. Petit, Sycamore, IL., Frank Petit, and Peter (Earlene) Petit, Virgil, IL., numerous nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by sisters; Louise Zang and Regina Petit, brother, Carl Petit and 2 infant brothers.
Funeral Mass 11 am Monday, September 8, 1997 in Holy Family Catholic Church with The Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, D.D., J.C.D., Bishop of Rockford officiating.
Visitation Sunday, September 7, 1997 from 2-6 pm in Fitzgerald & Associates Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 South Mulford Road, and from 10 am until mass in the church on Monday. Rosary at 5 pm Sunday recited by Legion of Mary.
Funeral Mass also at 10:30 am Tuesday, September 9, 1997 in S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Virgil with Rev. Thomas W. Nevill officiating.
Visitation 9:30 am until time of mass at the church. Burial in S.S. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Virgil.