AFFIRMING A PRIESTHOOD, ROOTED IN A REFORMED AND RENEWED CHURCH

header1

spacer

peterandwife sm

memberservices

pioneers
onlineresources

Stewart, John

stewart


REST IN PEACE

JULY 5, 2018


Age 87 of Plover WI, died early Thursday morning, July 5, 2018 at Ascension St. Clare's Hospital in Weston.

John was born June 20, 1931 in Belfast, Ireland. He was the son of the late John and Mary (Johnston) Stewart. As a young man John won the All Ireland Championship in Irish Dance. John was ordained a Servite Friar on July 8, 1956 in Armagh, Ireland. As a Servite he worked with Catholic youth groups in Germany before being assigned to the Vatican. John developed a fluency in German, French, Italian, Latin and Gaelic. He later moved to the United States and served different clerical roles, including West Coast director of vocations for the Servite Order.



John married the former Carol Soderberg on August 9, 1969 at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Chicago. After their marriage the couple settled in Chicago, later moving to Wisconsin. His wife Carol survives. While in Chicago, John was a member of the Irish Heritage Center and the Lions Club. He worked as a personnel director for Salerno-McGowan Biscuit Company and served as Division Manager of programs and activities of Lions International. In his position he traveled worldwide and was often accompanied by his wife Carol on many of his trips. Upon moving to Wisconsin, John became a member of the Stevens Point Evening Lions Club for many years. John's Irish heritage was a source of joy and he was extremely proud of it. He also enjoyed photography in his free time. In lieu of flowers, memorials in John's name can be given to the Camp Hope program.

John is survived by his wife Carol, his extended family in Ireland; Anna Johnston McKay, Ciaran Johnston, Jean Johnston, Norah Johnston and Eugene McGeehan, Jim and Teresa Johnston, Eileen (Johnston) and Bill Beatty, Harry and Mary Johnston, Birdie Johnston of England and Margaret (McBrearty0 and Robert McNeilage of Scotland. Further survived by his two brothers in law; Don (Kathy) Soderberg of Stevens Point and Bill (Susan) Soderberg of Maryland, and many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at St. Bronislava Catholic Church in Plover. Rev. Ed Shuttleworth officiating. Burial will be in the St. Bernard St. Hedwig Parish Cemetery in Thorp. Family and friends may call from 9:30 A.M. Tuesday morning at St. Bronislava Church until the time for mass. The Pisarski Community Funeral Home of Plover is honored to be serving the family. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com