See the obituary on the Diocese of Steubenville's website here..

STEUBENVILLE — 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. 

Diocese of Steubenville Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton said, “Bishop Sheldon personified a shepherd’s generosity and compassionate heart. His love for the people of God was evident in his travels throughout the diocese as he shared the good news of Jesus Christ. As his episcopal motto illustrated, he was strong in the faith.” 

Bishop Sheldon was born Sept. 20, 1926, in Cleveland, one of 12 children of Ignatius P. and Stephanie J. Olszewski Sheldon. 

He received his early education in Cleveland and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force, as an aviation cadet, upon graduation from high school in 1944. 

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 degrees from Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, West Virginia, and Franciscan University of Steubenville.

 He was ordained to the priesthood Feb. 28, 1953, by Diocese of Cleveland Archbishop Edward F. Hoban. On June 11, 1976, he was ordained a bishop by Bishop, and later 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 a board member of the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus. 

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. Burial will take place following Mass.

Dino Orsatti
Diocese of Steubenville
Director of Communications
Editor, The Steubenville Register
Office: 740 282-3631, ext. 340
Cell: 740 424-3191
Email: [email protected]