Verna Furiel Obituary

Sister Verna M. Furiel, OSF (1928 - 2009), died peacefully at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home on December 26, 2009. A native of Joliet, IL, she was the fourth daughter born to Thomas and Olga (Hermann) Furiel. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters: Theresa (Michael) Krutsch, Mary (Robert) Paul and Rosalie Furiel and her brother, Louis Sedivy. She is survived by her sisters: Sister Pauline Ann Furiel, OSF, Sister Anne Marie Furiel, OSF and Olga (Edward) Matesevic all of Joliet; Brothers-in-law, Michael Krutsch (Milton, WI) and Robert Paul (Joliet, IL). Sister Verna was a treasured member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate (Joliet) for 65 years. Sister Verna graduated from Central Junior High School (Joliet) in 1942. She graduated from St. Francis Academy, Joliet and earned her Bachelor's Degree from the College of St. Francis (now University of St. Francis), Joliet and her Master's degree from DePaul University, Chicago. Sister Verna began her ministry of teaching at St. Clement Grade School (Chicago, IL) in 1948. She spent thirty-one years as a teacher and principal in Ohio and Illinois schools. She taught 2nd grade at Sacred Heart School, Entlewood, IL from 1969 - 1979. After receiving her Clinical Pastoral Certification by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains in 1981, Sister Verna began her ministry as a Chaplain at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital (Chicago, IL). From 1986 - 1988 she was a member of the St. Clare House of Prayer, Kankakee, IL. In 1988 she became a chaplain at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center (Joliet, IL) where she ministered until 1999 when she became a Chaplain for Joliet Area Community Hospice. The wake will be at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Avenue, Joliet, IL (Wyoming and Rt. 30) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, from 2:00 - 6:45 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 4:45 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Procession will leave from Our Lady of Angels on Wednesday morning, December 30, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. The Interment will take place at SS. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery in Joliet, IL. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435. For information 815-741-5500 or www.fredcdames.com