Passing of Rev. John Emanuel

Reverend John Francis Emanuel passed away on April 12, 2023, at the age of 73.

Fr. John was born on September 12, 1949, in Ottumwa, Iowa to Dr. Dennis Emanuel and Mary Coughlin Emanuel. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School and Walsh Catholic High School in Ottumwa. He then went to Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa and the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree.

He studied for the priesthood at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul Minnesota and Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corner, Wisconsin. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Tucson on June 6, 1992, at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson, Arizona by Bishop Manuel D. Moreno, D.D.

His first assignment was as associate pastor at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Green Valley, Arizona followed by assignments as associate pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Tucson and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf, Iowa (while on a leave of absence from the Diocese of Tucson to spend time with his ailing father.)

He returned to the Diocese of Tucson and served as the Administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Yuma, Arizona and thereafter the Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Clifton, Sacred Heart Parish in Willcox, and then St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Payson.  

He retired in 2006 but continued to serve the Diocese in prison, nursing home and hospital ministry through Catholic Community Services. He also provided support to the clergy of various parishes, especially St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson.

Fr. John was a dedicated, faithful servant of God with a great love for his family, friends, and his parishioners.

He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Dennis and Mary Emanuel and his sister, Anne Flood. He is survived by his brothers Dennis W. Emanuel and Dr. James P. Emanuel, his sister Jane Kolbeck, along with several nieces and nephews.

In accordance with his wishes, Fr. John’s life will be celebrated at his family’s beloved long-time parish, St. Mary of the Visitation in Ottumwa, Iowa and he will be laid to rest in Ottumwa at Calvary Cemetery. 

Bishop Edward Weisenburger will preside at a Memorial Mass for Fr. Emanuel on Wednesday April 26th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson.

Eternal rest grant unto Fr. John, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.