September 9, 1959
Father Michael O’Donovan
Father O’Donovan was born in Mitchelstown, Ireland, on July 17, 1904. His education was completed at Christian Brothers’ School, Middleton; Mt. St. Joseph College, Rocrea, County Tipperary; All Hallows College, Dublin; and Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis, MO. Bishop Schwertner ordained Father O’Donovan for the Diocese of Wichita on June 2, 1928. As an assistant he was assigned to St. Patrick’s Parish, Parsons. As pastor he served at Council Grove with Tampa and Skiddy as missions; at McPherson as first resident pastor with Little River as a mission; and Hoisington. In 1948 he took a sick leave for one year and then returned to Hoisington. The next year he became chaplain at Villa Maria in Mulvane and then retired to his residence in Lyons in 1951. He died in his home in Lyons on September 9, 1959 at 55 years of age. Bishop Carroll celebrated Father O’Donovan’s funeral Mass at St. John’s Parish in Hoisington on September 11, 1959 where he was also buried.