Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. Edward A. Buenger, C.S.C.

Aug. 31, 1920 - Nov. 23, 2000

South Bend Tribune 11/26/2000

Rev. Edward A. Buenger, C.S.C., 80, died after a lengthy illness at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 23, in Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. He suffered for many years from the effects of Alz-heimer's disease.

Father Buenger was born on Aug. 31, 1920, the son of the late Edward F. and Yvonne (Strueve) Buenger in Covington, Ky. When he was 7 years old, his family moved to Chicago, Ill. He attended grade school at St. Lucy Grade School, and then entered the Missouri Military Academy, Mexico, Mo., for his high school education. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1953, with a degree in mechanical engineering. In May of that year, he was inducted in the U.S. Army and saw action in several European campaigns in World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge. He attained the rank of captain, received several citations and medals, and served as an intelligence officer at the war trials in Nuremberg. He received his honorable discharge in September 1946. He communicated with his comrades in arms throughout his life.

After his military service he joined the Congregation of Holy Cross, was a postulant at Notre Dame, and entered the Sacred Heart Novitiate, South Bend, on Aug. 15, 1947. He made first vows there in 1948, and professed his perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1951, at Deer Park, Md. He studied theology at Holy Cross College, Washington, D.C., from 1949 to 1953. On June 10, 1953, he was ordained a priest by the Most Reverend John F. Noll, Bishop of Fort Wayne, in Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame, Ind.

Following ordination he served on the faculty of Holy Cross Seminary, Notre Dame, Ind., for one year, and then as associate director of vocations for three years. In 1957 he began a 15-year tenure teaching at Notre Dame High School for Boys in Niles, Ill., and in 1972 to 1973 he was a faculty member at Holy Cross High School in River Grove, Ill.

He followed his teaching career by pastoral service at Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Hometown, Ill., while serving as chaplain at Christ Hospital, Oaklawn, from 1973 to 1979, as chaplain at St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island, Ill., from 1979 to 1984, and from 1984 to 1988 at Holy Family Health Center, DesPlaines, Ill. Beginning in 1988 until the time of his death, he had resided at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind.

Survivors of Father Buenger include his sister, Marguerite Weitzel of River Forest, Ill., and Issaquah, Wash.; a sister-in-law, Mary Buenger of Walnut Creek, Calif.; nieces and nephews, William Buenger of Winnetka, Ill., Mary Ann (Paul) Victor of Issaquah, Wash.; and Bonnie (James) Walsh of Lafayette, Calif.; many grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and friends.

A wake service and funeral Mass will be conducted jointly with Brother Remy Aydt, C.S.C., who died two hours before Father Buenger in Holy Cross House on Thanksgiving Day. The wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, in the chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, Ind. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. at Moreau Seminary.

The funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Ind. Burial will follow at the Community Cemetery, Notre Dame.

The Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.