Bishop Gilbert I. Sheldon

The Diocese of Steubenville’s third bishop, Gilbert I. Sheldon, died April 24 at the age of 96. Bishop Sheldon served as a bishop for 26 years, 16 as an auxiliary in Cleveland and 10 as diocesan bishop in Steubenville.  Bishop Sheldon was born Sept. 20, 1926, in Cleveland, one of 12 children of the late Ignatius P. and Stephanie J. Olszewski Sheldon. He is survived by sisters, Susan (Hans) Gossler of Munster, Indiana, and Nancy A. Sheldon of Rocky River, Ohio, and nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by brothers Robert, Richard, William, Edward, John and James, and by sisters Mary Jane (Bill) Yahraus, Beata (Donald) Campbell and Rose Mary (Thomas) Eischen.

Bishop Sheldon received his early education at St. Philip Neri Elementary and Cathedral Latin High School, Cleveland. He then went on to receive degrees from John Carroll University and St. Mary Seminary, both in Cleveland, and the Ohio Consortium of Seminaries, Columbus, Ohio. In addition, Bishop Sheldon has been awarded honorary Doctor of Humanities from Wheeling Jesuit University and Doctor of Sacred Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

He served as an aviation cadet in the U.S. Army Air Force, 1944-45. He was ordained to the priesthood Feb. 28, 1953, by Archbishop Edward F. Hoban. During his priestly ministry in the Diocese of Cleveland, Bishop Sheldon was an associate pastor, St. Rose, St. Clare and Sts. Philip and James; diocesan director and national board member of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, traveling to 23 countries on five continents; chaplain, Magnificat High School; pastor, Sacred Heart; episcopal vicar, Lorain County; notary, Diocesan Tribunal Prosy-nodal Judge and academic board, St. Mary Seminary; board of trustees, Borromeo College; instructor, St. John College; chaplain, Serra Club West; chaplain, West Park Knights of Columbus; diocesan consultor; and member of Catholic Charities Board.

On June 11, 1976, he was ordained a bishop by Bishop (later named Cardinal) James A. Hickey. As an auxiliary bishop for the Cleveland Diocese, Bishop Sheldon was the vicar, Marriage and Family Concerns; vicar, Summit County; and vicar, Southern Region.

On April 2, 1992, he was installed as the bishop of the Diocese of Steubenville. During that time, he served on U.S. bishops’ committees for Latin America, Administration, National Advisory Council, Missions and Nominations, as well as was a board member of the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus.

While in Cleveland, and as bishop of the Steubenville Diocese, Bishop Sheldon, also, was active in civic and community affairs, including holding membership in the Knights of Columbus, Serra Club, Order of Alhambra, Catholic War Veterans, American Legion and Rotary Club.

Some of Bishop Sheldon’s awards included Man of Year, Cathedral Latin High School; Knights of Columbus Family Life Service Award; Catholic Press Distinguished Service Award; Franciscan University Founders’ Award; Franciscan University Board of Advisors Service Recognition; and Caritas Medal, Diocese of Steubenville.

After his retirement Bishop Sheldon served as a judge for the Diocesan Tribunal, a columnist for the Steubenville Register, and on the Advisory Board of Franciscan University.

The Diocese of Steubenville would like to express our gratitude to the staff of Villa Vista and Carriage House for their considerate and compassionate care of Bishop Sheldon during the past few years. The Diocese would like to especially thank the Brothers of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for their years of attentive and loving care of Bishop Sheldon.

Visitation for Bishop Sheldon will be held at Holy Rosary Church, Steubenville, May 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; vigil service is scheduled for 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., May 2, at Holy Rosary Church. Internment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Offer condolences, www.mostifuneralhome.com