Father John Emanuel passed away peacefully on April 12, 2023 at Copper Canyon Alzheimer’s Specialty Care Center in Tucson, Arizona.
John, who was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Dennis and Mary Emanuel and his sister, Ann Flood, was born September 12, 1949 in Ottumwa, Iowa where he attended Walsh High School, graduating in 1967. He received his Bachelor of Science in Medical Records Administration at College of St. Mary in Omaha Nebraska in 1976.
John entered the Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in 1986 in Franklin, Wisconsin where he finished his Masters of Divinity in 1991. In 1992 he was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest at the Cathedral of St. Augustine in Tucson, Arizona. Father John served as a diocesan priest in the state of Arizona to be close to his parents who had retired there and were in failing health. Father John served in various capacities as Pastor of several parishes in Arizona and recently as an assistant chaplain at St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s hospitals and ministering to the imprisoned in Tucson.
John was a loving and kind soul who loved his God, his family, his parishioners, his beloved dogs and cats, and football. He will be truly missed!
Father John is survived by his brothers and sister, Dennis Emanuel (Nancy) of Las Vegas, NV, Janie (Dr. Terry) Kolbeck of Omaha, NE, Dr. Jim Emanuel (Maria) of St. Louis, MO; and his brother-in-law, Dan Flood of Norfolk, NE; and 12 nieces and nephews.
Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 26th at Reece Funeral Home, 607 E. Second Street, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary of the Visitation, 216 N. Court St., Ottumwa, Iowa with Father Dale Mallory presiding. Private burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary of the Visitation in Ottumwa, IA 52501 or Casa de la Luz-Hospice, 7740 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ 85704.
