Whitesboro, Jan. 3.-- Funeral services for Rev. Father William Slaven, pastor of St. Paul's Church of this village, who died on Saturday afternoon, will be held tomorrow morning in accordance with arrangements made by Rt. Rev. Monsignor Carson of Rome, dean or the Diocese ot Syracuse. More than 100 priests will be in attendance.
The body was taken to the church this afternoon to lie in state until the hour of the service. At 2:30 o'clock representatives of the various societies of St. Paul's Church marched to the parochial residence and accompanied the casket to the church. Vespers for the dead were chanted. Shortly afterward the church was thronged.
Father Slaven's death has caused widespread sorrow. He was one of the best known and most popular priests in the diocese and was held in high regard by people of all religious beliefs.
He was born in Rochester in 1856 and there spent his boyhood days and received his early education. In 1877 he entered Niagara University and upon completing his course of study became a student at St. Joseph's College at Buffalo. At that college Father Slaven took a preparatory course and later entered St. Meinrod's Ecclesiastical Seminary in Indianapolis, Ind., where he was ordained to the priesthood.
His first duties were those of assistant to Rev. Dr. Lynch, now Rt. Rev. J. S. M. Lynch of Utica, at St. John's Cathedral, at Syracuse, where he remained for some time. He was then named as assictant to Rev. T. W. Reilly, pastor of St. Paul's Church at Whitesboro and for three years had charge of the missions at Chittenango and Canastota.
Upon the death of Father Reilly, 25 years ago, Father Slaven was named pastor of St. Paul's Church. During the time he was pastor, he also had charge of the missions at Hinckley and Holland Patent. When Father Slaven took over the pastorate of St. Paul's Church, the church was indebted about $18,000. That amount'has been nearly paid off and the church has been greatly improved through his untiring efforts.
Surviving are one brother, Matthew J. Slaven of Whitesboro, and a nephew John J. Slaven of Utica, son of the late Frank Slaven.
Rome (New York) Daily Sentinel, January 5, 1922.