Father Cornelius N. Mceachin

Father Cornelius N. McEachin, 81, of Venice, Florida died Friday, May 16, 2003 at St. Marys Hospital in Saginaw. Visitation will begin at Sacred Heart Church in Mt. Pleasant on Sunday, May 18, from 6-8 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday at St. John Vianney Church in Saginaw from 4-9 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Marys Cathedral in Saginaw with Bishop Kenneth Untener officiating. Visitation will be held at the Cathedral one hour prior to the mass. A scripture prayer service and committal will follow Tuesday afternoon at St. Columbkille Church in Sheridan Corners at 3 p.m.. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Cornelius was born June 6, 1921, in Bad Axe, the son of John J. and Isabel (McMillan) McEachin. He attended Sacred Heart High School and College Seminary in Detroit. He studied theology at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Norwood, Ohio. On May 22, 1948 he was ordained a priest at St. Mary Cathedral by Bishop William F. Murphy, the first bishop of Saginaw. Following ordination he served in the following parishes: St. Brigid, Midland; St. Patrick, Croswell; St. John, Peck; Our Lady of Lake Huron, Harbor Beach; St. John Chrysostom, Forestville; St. James, Bay City; Sacred Heart, Mt. Pleasant; and St. Anne, Linwood. Cornelius is survived by one sister, Flora (Robert) Parker of Ann Arbor; two sisters-in-law, Delphine McEachin of Ubly and Dorothy McEachin of Sterling Heights; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, John, Ray, Jim, Charles, and Angus; and one sister, Mary Louise McEachin. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Catholic Bishops Relief Fund or the Saginaw Clergy Benefit Society. Donations may be mailed to St. John Vianney Parish, 6400 McCarty Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603.