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Rev. John J. Powers
1925 - 2018
Rev. John J. Powers
1925 - 2018
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1925
DIED
2018
John Powers Obituary
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Doralea Farrell
July 12, 2021
Father Powers was a Great Priest, I grew up in the area and St. JUDE was my church loved listening to his homilies. He always remembered my mom and I I will never forget Father Powers. Thanks for the memories Father Powers.
Patricia Starkey-Ashley
June 14, 2021
I went to St. Mary's School & Fr. Powers was there for many years before going to St. Jude's. My parents Joe & Dorothy Starkey of Dolton were very active there & good friends with Father.He married all 3 of us Starkey girls. 2 at St. Mary's & me at St. Jude's. He was such a wonderful, caring priest with a great sense of humor. The Starkey family send condolences & will cherish all the memories. Kirk, Jack, Mary Kay, Peggy & Tricia(aka) Pat Starkey
Adrienne (Penksa) Redding
January 27, 2019
Father Powers was my priest when I was a little girl in South Holland attending Holy Ghost. He took my first confession and gave my first communion. I remember being very fond of him. He came a couple of times to our house for dinner when I was a child. I still think of him and remember his kindness and gentle spirit. I'm glad to know he had such a long life.
JOHN PIOTROWSKI
September 17, 2018
Dear family of Fr. John:
My sincere condolences.
I came to know Fr. John due to the fact that
I was a very close friend of two of his 1951 ordination classmates. He was a genuinely sweet,kindhearted and caring soul.
I last spoke to Fr John at the wake of his classmate and my dear friend Fr Jim Moriarty
two years ago. We had a short chat about Jim
that was very heartwarming.
The class of 1951 was special.
True Men of God.
Be proud of John for being one of them.
I am proud to have known him.
God Bless You, John.
Sincerely
John Piotroeski
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St. Jude Fest
August 31, 2018
At Ascension Church in Harvey, IL.
August 31, 2018
Rose Marie Berens
August 17, 2018
Father Powers use to tell stories about two family homes that the priests from Ascension would stay in between the two masses at St Gerard Majella in Markham. St Gerard was a mission of Ascension. The two families were the home of my family and my sister Doris Berens and her best friend Harriette Palmer and her family.
I was only 6 years old when Father would spend those Sunday mornings in our home or with my sister at the Young Peoples Club he lead. He had been a big part of my childhood and adult life. He married all my siblings and had the funerals of my sister, her little boy, and my parents.
We all loved his wonderful sense of humor, his compassion, his faith and love of people. He will be missed by many but, remembered by all.
It has been a privilege having him in my life for 67 of those 93 years. Please rest in peace Father Powers and say hello to my family for me.
Laura Kulovitz Murphy
August 17, 2018
God Bless Father Powers. He confirmed me at Holy Ghost. When he gave his homily he had referenced The Doors and their song "Light My Fire". I have thought of this often in my life. T I remember he was very kind and related to the young people. Sorry for this loss.
Geoffrey Bassett
August 16, 2018
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Garry Marsh
August 16, 2018
One of the best !!
Micki Siwinski
August 16, 2018
We loved you and will miss you greatly.
August 15, 2018
Father Powers was such a gentle soul. One of the nicest priests we ever knew.
Joe & Lanna Melko, Dyer, IN
Mary K. Samaan
August 14, 2018
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
CAROL HAYDEN
August 14, 2018
FR. POWERS ,
A Life Well Lived, Much Loved ...
Many, many Fond Memories for All of us! Thank you for your outstanding Dedication and Love for St. Jude's Family. Enjoy Heaven, much deserved! Give Special Hugs to Fr. Sweeney & Sr. Morrison !!
Rest in Peace Dear Friend and Priest.
Thank you.
CAROL A ( BEKAVAC ) HAYDEN
And BEKAVAC FAMILY
Dan Draus
August 14, 2018
Thank you for your service to draw others closer to God so they may have eternal life. We need to continue the mission to reach others on this Earthly planet before their last judgment. God Bless & thank you for the memories formerly of South Holland, IL - D.Draus
Dorothy Schmidt
August 13, 2018
He was my family's priest at St. Mary's Riverdale. Good man.
Elaine Berner
August 13, 2018
My favorite priest of all time. He was our priest at Ascension in Harvey. I attended from 1946 to 1955. He had my number. A wonderful priest. A people's priest. God Bless him.
Robert OHeir
August 13, 2018
A Great friend and priest
Ken and Virginia (Walenga) Haddon
August 13, 2018
Fr. Powers has been a lifelong friend. He married my husband and I in May of 1960 at Ascension Church in Harvey. Ken took instructions in the Catholic faith from him, but Fr. Powers advised him NOT to convert to Catholicism for anyone but himself. 24 years after our marriage, Fr. Powers was instrumental in his conversion. I have visited him at his other South Side parishes during different difficult times in my life. He was ALWAYS there and willing to give that youthful smile and sweet childish grin. We loved him not only as a truly remarkable priest but as a kind human being. To his family, we send our sympathy for your loss; however, for Fr. Powers, we are sure heaven is a happier place with his arrival!! God Bless you dear Father and friend. Ken and Virginia Haddon, formerly of Harvey, Homewood, Illinois - now in Suring, Wisconsin
Paul Alfano
August 13, 2018
My heart goes out to his family & loved ones. Father Powers was a light in this world & will continue to be in Heaven. He was a blessing for anyone who knew him. He gave me my first Holy communion at St. Mary's & came to our home many times when we were kids. My sister had cancer & he gave her first Holy Communion in our home. He had a caring, loving, kind heart. We are all so richly blessed to have known him. Until we meet again, Soar with the angels...
Daniel Troh
August 13, 2018
May perpetual shine upon him. A great priest and good friend.
Deacon Dan and Mary Anne Troy of Holy Ghost.
The Staff of Thornridge Funeral Home
August 12, 2018
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Marie Bugajski
August 12, 2018
Rest in peace Father Powers.
Mary Ellen Pifko
August 12, 2018
Father Powers was a very special person in our lives. He married my husband and I. It was a beautiful personal wedding and sermon. He was a wonderful man. Our sympathy and prayers are with you.
Donna (Fisher) Harris
August 12, 2018
Fr Powers you're in the presence of Our Savior. God blessed us with you . I pray for peace and comfort to all who miss you. St. Mary's Class 67
nancy boling
August 12, 2018
Fr. Powers always had the most inviting smile and twinkle in his eyes. While attending St. Mary's he was every one's favorite priest to be around. As an adult, my husband and I were blessed to have him marry us at St. Jude. So glad to have had such a wonderful man of the cloth to help guide me through my life. RIP Fr. Powers.
Susan Kubiszak
August 12, 2018
My deepest sympathies to his family...my boss. My priest and mydearest.friend. I wish you rest in peace. Love . Sorry if any day goodbye in person..
Barbara Pohrte
August 12, 2018
Father Powers was the driving force that made St. Jude the Apostle a wonderful parish. His compassion and love for his parishioners was incredible. Heaven truly has received a larger than life angel! We have so many fond memories of him. Rest in peace, Father Powers.
Marilyn Blakely Vorsanger
August 12, 2018
I attended Ascension in Harvey when Fr Powers was assigned there. He was a good family friend for many years. My parents were active at both Ascrnsion and St Jude when he was pastor there. He blessed them on their 40th wedding anniversary and buried them as well. He anointed them and was always there to visit with an illness. He always had a smile and a twinkle in his eye. God bless him and may he Rest In Peace. Marilyn Blakely Vorsanger
Linda O'Hara Johnson
August 12, 2018
Father Powers was the Father O'Malley of my childhood. I felt intimidated by most of the priests and sisters during my school days. I remember Father Powers as being the childrens' priest. He was kind and always had time for us. Rest in Peace, Father.
Jeannie Mayer
August 12, 2018
Rest in Peace, Father Powers. Many fond memories
of our time at St. Jude.
Ron and Beverley Sulkowski
August 11, 2018
Fr Powers it was my humble pleasure to be your friend.I enjoyed cleaning for you ,and giving you haircuts.Ron enjoyed taking you for Tacos.We loved our time joking around with you.I cherished my times,as altar server and sacristan.Rest in peace dear friend.Oh how heavenly I bet you were relieved.You will not be forgotten.We will continue to pray for you.
Bill and kitchy Gallegos
August 11, 2018
Thank you for 50 yrs of being there. God bless
Tony Kernagis and me with Father Powers - 2003
Richard Livermore
August 11, 2018
My years at Ascension were some of the most wonderful years of my life and Father Powers was a huge part of that. I have a fond memory of him attending our Class Reunion in 2003. When I think of priests, his image comes to mind. He was everything a priest and a human being should be. He will be missed.
Tommie McGlothen
August 11, 2018
Rest In Peace Father Powers
Terry and Lynn Quandt
August 11, 2018
Rest in Peace, Father John.
August 11, 2018
We will always our wonderful conversations and your smiling face. You will be missed. Prayers are with you . Rest in peace Father. HENRY & Gerry Pasek. St. John The Baptist Harvey Il
Vicki Olson
August 11, 2018
I will always remember Father Powers for all he had done for me when I had cancer in 1992. He was always there for my son, Chris and I. He will truely be missed.
Debbie Fryzel
August 11, 2018
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always. Fathers Powers Sa was a wonderful, loving man who my family was personal friends with. He will be sorely missed.
Dennis Delanty
August 11, 2018
I remember Fr. Powers playing softball with us during recess on those gravel lots next to Ascension. It was my first realization that priests were regular guys.
Kit (Kristin) Foster (nee West)
August 10, 2018
What a wonderful and full life to have had. Fr. Powers baptized myself and at least one of my siblings. I then asked him to officiate my wedding at St. Jude in 1992. Rest in peace with the Lord.
Suzanne Vanderhyden
August 10, 2018
Father Powers was the most kind and inspiring priest at Ascension during my grade school years. He coached basketball, served as the leader of the CFM parents church group, and always, always had time and patience for any person in need of advice. May he Rest In Peace. He surely deserves a special place in Heaven.
John Mikenas
August 10, 2018
I served Mass many times for Father Powers at Ascension in Harvey. His worldly light eill be missed.
Larry & Diana Callahan
August 10, 2018
Prayers to Father Powers and his familyRemember him fondly as our Parish Priest, May he rest in peace with our heavenly FatherCondolences to all at this sad time, he lived a long life and was a great help to many of his parish family
Gail Shilling
August 10, 2018
Fr, Powers, was my Hero, without him to talk to everyday, I don't know where I would be today. His sense of humor, his Love of God, and just his friendly nature made you like him and his silly jokes ! May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. Rest in peace, Father Powers, and please put in a good word for me ! Until we meet again. Gail Broski Shilling
Mary Beth Gutierrez
August 10, 2018
Truly a man of God. A wonderful priest and friend. The world is a bit sadder with his passing
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15801 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Dolton, IL 60419
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