Date of death: 4/12/2007
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1940
Father Marvin J. Colgan, 93, died at Lutheran Home in Peoria.A native of Wyoming, was the second oldest priest of the Diocese of Peoria at the time of his death. Father Colgan had served as pastor of parishes in Rutland, Ivesdale, Canton, and Lacon during his nearly 67 years of priestly life.Born Aug. 15, 1913, in Wyoming to William and Bride Reilly Colgan, he attended elementary and high schools in Wyoming. His preparation for the priesthood took place at St. Ambrose College in Davenport and at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.In an interview with The (Diocese of Peoria) Catholic Post on the occasion of his 60th jubilee in the year 2000, Father Colgan said he was inspired to become a priest by a cousin, Father Francis Cahill, a priest of the Diocese of Peoria who was also a native of Wyoming. “I think it’s my true vocation,” Father Colgan said. “Jesus guided me all the way.Father Colgan was ordained on June 2, 1940, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria.His first assignments were as assistant at parishes including St. Malachy’s in Geneseo, St. Columba’s in Ottawa, and St. Mark’s, Peoria, where he served for seven years.In 1950, Father Colgan was named pastor of St. Sacred Heart Parish in Rutland. Six years later, he became pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish, Ivesdale, where he served for 12 years.From 1968 to 1973, he was pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Canton. The last decade of his active priestly ministry was as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lacon. Following his retirement in 1983, he continued to reside in Lacon at St. Joseph Nursing Home.He is survived by one sister, Genevieve Winne of Peoria, and 15 nieces and nephews. Father Colgan was preceded in death by two brothers, Earl and Kenneth, and one sister, Patricia Bushman.Information obtained from the Diocese of Peoria Catholic Post vol. LXXXIV No. 16 on 4/22/07.