Father John "Jack" Harper

Reverend John H. Harper
With faith in the Resurrection of our Lord, we offer our prayers for Reverend John Harper, who entered eternal life on January 1, 2026, at the age of 78.
Father John "Jack" Harper was born in Menominee, Michigan, on March 6, 1947, the fifth of eight sons of John and Catherine (Hunting) Harper.
Fr John was very involved in the faith life of his brother's families. He was Godfather for two of his nephews: Kevin and Michael. He celebrated the marriages of most of his nieces and nephews and baptized several of his great nieces and nephews.
In 1962, Father Harper attended Crosier Seminary in Onamia, Minnesota. He graduated from Marinette Catholic Central in 1965. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1981. Father Harper pursued theological studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, New Jersey and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Seton Hall University in 1987. On June 6, 1987, Father Harper was ordained a priest at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral by Bishop Adam Maida. Continuing his education, Father Harper earned a Master of Arts degree in 2000 also from Seton Hall University.
Father Harper began his ministry as Associate Pastor/Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart in Appleton. In 1988 he was assigned as Associate Pastor/Parochial Vicar at St. Philip the Apostle Parish, Green Bay. The following year Father Harper was co-pastor at Holy Family Parish, Marinette.
For the next 21 years, Father Harper ministered to St. Mary Parish, De Pere, first as Administrator and later as Pastor. During this time, he also served Immaculate Conception Parish, Glenmore, and St. Mary Parish, Stark, as Temporary Administrator (October-November 1996). From 2006-2011, while continuing to lead St. Mary Parish De Pere, he was appointed Administrator and later Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in De Pere. Father Harper served as an advocate for the Marriage Tribunal.
In 2011, Father Harper was appointed Pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Green Bay, where he ministered until 2017 when he received senior status. Father Harper continued his pastoral care as Chaplain for the Apostleship of the Sea.
Fr John is survived by his brothers and their families: Curt (Judy), Bill (Jean), David (Jeanne), Dan, Jerry, Peter and Pat (Roseann)
Curt and Judy's children: John (Dani), Christy, Cathy (Mat), and Stephanie (Csaba). Curt's grandchildren: Miko, Demetrios, Lucas, Jaeger, Ingrid, Haakon, Greta, Attila, Isabel, and Szilveszter.
Bill and Jean's children: Bill (Roberta), Heidi (Steve), Steve (Jenny), and Jennifer. Bill's grandchildren: Jonas, Lucia, Tiwonge, Charlie, Henry, Sydney (Ethan), Max and two great grands: Isla and Quinten.
David and Jeanne's children: Michael (Kim) and Lisa (Dan). David's grandchildren: Emily, Elizabeth, Abigail, and Jacob.
Dan's children: Tim (Deanna, deceased), and Tom (Sue), and Heather (Kelly). Dan's grandchildren: Andrew and Aaron, Amber (Tim), and Brock and four great grands: Aiyana, Daxtyn, Rustyn, Conner, and Bennett.
Pat and Rose: Kevin, Karen (Scott), Kris (Melissa). Pat's grandchildren: Brandon, Hayley, Meghan, Danielle, Emma Rose.
Fr. John was preceded in death by his parents John and Catherine Harper.
Visitation will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 171 S. Wood Ave, Peshtigo WI, on Thursday January 15, from 2:00pm until 6:00pm, with a prayer service at 5:00pm led by Fr. Michael Lightner.
Visitation will then continue at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Dr, De Pere WI, on Friday January 16, from 9:00am until the time of the Funeral Liturgy. The Funeral Liturgy, expressing our faith in the promised glory of the Lord's Resurrection, will begin at 11:00am with Most Reverend David L. Ricken as Celebrant and Reverend Patrick Beno as homilist. Burial will be on a later date in Riverside Cemetery, Peshtigo WI.
A Fr. John Harper Memorial fund has been started with the St Joseph Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Inc., a 501 © (3) charitable organization to specifically assist families and individuals in need. Cash or Checks can be donated and dropped into the donation containers at the Visitation sites or checks can be made payable to SJC-SSVdP and sent to PO Box 563 - Marinette WI 54143-0563, serving Marinette, Peshtigo and Porterfield greater area. Thank you for Helping Us Helps Others and living out the Gospel Message to serve Those in Need. www.helpushelpsothers.org