By Maria Foss | On Mission
GREEN BAY — Fr. John H. Van Deuren, priest for the Diocese of Green Bay, died on April 19, 2025, at the age of 93.
He was loved by many in his roles of pastoral care director, educator and longtime chairman of the Leo Benevolent Association as well as in his parish work.
A Green Bay native, Fr. Van Deuren was born on March 29, 1932, to John Henry and Bernice (Lu Maye) Van Deuren.
After attending high school and college at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, near Milwaukee, he earned a theology degree at the American College of the Immaculate Conception in Louvain, Belgium.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay on June 28, 1959, by Bishop James McNulty in Louvain, Belgium.
Fr. Van Deuren served at St. Pius X Parish, Appleton, until 1965, when he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Agnes Parish, Green Bay.
He then served in two other roles, as assistant pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Oconto and as a staff member at St. Francis de Sales Seminary.
In 1973, Fr. Van Deuren pursued a new ministry, enrolling in clinical pastoral education at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago. A year later, he joined the pastoral care and pastoral development departments at Sacred Heart Center in Oneida.
In 1976, he became a member of the diocese’s Permanent Diaconate Board — the permanent diaconate had been reestablished in the Catholic Church in 1976. He was reappointed in 1982.
Fr. Van Deuren became the Director of Pastoral Care while continuing as Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor for the diocese.
In 1984, he became the Diocesan Director of Clinical Education and Director of Pastoral Education at St. Mary Hospital and St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay.
Fr. Van Deuren also served on the Personnel Board and was chairman of the Leo Benevolent Association for 10 years. The benevolent organization is dedicated to assisting the retired diocesan priests of the Diocese of Green Bay.
In 1995, he was assigned as temporary administrator of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Green Bay and became associate pastor in 1997.
“I especially cherish the years as pastoral educator at St. Mary Hospital and the many years at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish,” said Fr. Van Deuren when reflecting on his priestly ministry following his retirement. “I have been blessed, loved and forgiven by God and the people of God.”
After retiring in 2002, Fr. Van Deuren continued serving God’s people as the priest celebrant and priest moderator at St. Louis Parish, Dyckesville.
He was also a sacramental minister at various parishes when needed.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2771 Oakwood Dr, Green Bay, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a concluding prayer service at 6:45 p.m.
Visitation will continue at the same location on Monday, April 28, from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral.
The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 28, with Bishop David Ricken as celebrant.
Fr. Mark Vander Steeg, vicar for priests for the Diocese of Green Bay, will be the homilist. Burial will take place at Allouez Catholic Cemetery, Green Bay.