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John Shetler Obituary
Raised in Santa Barbara, John entered St. Patrick's seminary in Melo Park and upon ordination entered into the service of Christ and His church in southern California. Among the many communities he served included Los Angeles, Alta Dena, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Irvine. His impact, love for people, and outreach impacted every parish he found himself in.
Classically trained, Fr. Shetler was an expert in Latin, Church history, and used his keen intellect and sense of humor to help others see Jesus and the joy of being a Christ follower. And, because of this, many people found great solace and service in the churches he served. Always available for a sick call, Fr. Shetler served the people whenever called upon. For years he was a leader in the charismatic renewal in the Catholic Church and was always concerned about helping the church grow and people worship with power. Known for making faith real, his homilies were appreciated by all because he was able to bring the truth the church teaches to the normal person in the pew.
Some years ago Fr. Shetler decided to stop driving because of his vision. Surprisingly, this impacted his life very little as he was supported by his friends who drove him places, took him to their homes or out to eat, and shared life together with the mutual support that Christ calls all believers to. Because Fr. Shetler was an only child with his parents deceased, his family was really anyone who met him. God gave him a family in a real beautiful way. As Jesus said, our real family is comprised not of biological tissue but by those who do the will of God the Father. Fr. Shetler was surrounded by those who stepped up in service to this astounding man.
Known for his love of animals, the ability to eat a dozen doughnuts at one sitting, knowledge of world history, travel, a hat collection, and funny antics, Fr. Shetler found that God provided for all his needs. Not one to worry, he truly believed what the Church teaches, believes, and confesses. His life has profoundly impacted many. Thank you God for such a wonderful friend and priest!
Prayer Vigil: 7:00 pm Monday, July 28th at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Irvine.
Funeral Mass: 10:00am Tuesday, July 29th at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Irvine.
Interment: 10:00am Saturday, August 2nd at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Shetler
Sponsored by The Orange County Register.
Bobbie Garcia
July 20, 2024
I was just thinking of him on the last couple of days. Then this popped up. Good memories as I attended his charismatic Masses. I loved his sermons. I have visited his grave site numerous times to talk to him.
Judy Presley
May 14, 2023
Father Shetler married my husband and I in 1987 at Saint Killians church in Mission Viejo. He was an absolutely lovely man. My husband and I were both nonbelievers, but I was trying to make my parents happy by getting married in the Catholic Church. I think father Shetler knew in his heart that my soon to be husband and I were not believers. But he was so kind and loving. He was such a wonderful Shepherd to bring people into the church with his amazing, charismatic personality. Although my husband and I are still nonbelievers, I will never forget the kindness, love, humor and joy that father Shetler brought to our lives. He was definitely one in 1 million.
Rebecca Mendoza
July 22, 2022
I still can't listen to our choir and not see you in the back row smiling while you sang. You were an important part of my becoming catholic and I think of you often.
Jean Herber
July 23, 2020
Thinking of John always brings a big smile to me. He was such a happy, joyful charming man.
It was a pleasure to be with him. John and my husband Bernard were good friends through the years.
Bernard died two months after John and I imagine they are now happy together in heaven.
Rest in peace, dear John and pray for me.
Love you,
Jean Herber
August 13, 2014
Father John, thank you for supporting me during my RCIA Classes and after I became a Catholic. You truly showed me the light of Christ in my life, and I was blessed to have known you. May you rest eternally in peace with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Yours in Christ,
David and Beth Detrick
Roberto Garcia
August 7, 2014
Father John, we enjoyed your homilies and sense of humor. You taught us to be happy and joyful following the Lord. Thanks.
July 31, 2014
Thank you Father John for bringing me back to Christ, and blessing me with the Holy Sprit. You will be dearly missed.
Patricia Gutsin
Kevin and Leandra Maddock
July 30, 2014
Father John...your passing has left a void in the hearts of all of us who loved you in this life. Our hearts rejoice for you as you have reached your eternal reward in the arms of our Savior and the embrace of His divine mother whom you revered.
Pat and Rich Piecuch
July 30, 2014
Thank you for teaching us to trust God and to let go. We enjoyed attending your Charismatic Masses. Your spirit lives on in our hearts.
July 30, 2014
Father John - In 1978, as an 8 year old child, you were able to introduce me to such a kind, generous, joyful & loving God, always providing your own unique voice to our family. We will love you forever.
Susan Moncur-Mackay, Mission Viejo
Bobbie Garcia
July 29, 2014
Father John, Thank you for the Charismatic Masses thru all the years. I felt it an honor and a privilege to be at your memorial service today. You definitely made a difference in the world. Rest in peace, lucky you to be in the glory of our Lord for eternity.
Fr.Kevin Larkin
July 29, 2014
We met in 1959 at my first assignment in Santa Ana. We have remained friends ever since.god grant you peace, father John
Mike and Jean Newell
July 29, 2014
Mike and I have many happy wonderful memories of you starting from St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Altadena when you married us to when you started up Santiago de Compostela Parish. Rest in Peace Father John.
Mike and Jean Newell
July 29, 2014
Mike and I have many happy wonderful memories of you starting from St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Altadena when you married us to when you started up Santiago de Compostela Parish. Rest in Peace Father John.
jenny thomas
July 29, 2014
Rest in peace Father John. Thank you for marrying my parents almost 44 years ago.
June Gruhn
July 28, 2014
Thank you John for all the wonderful memories & times we shared, also thank you for being a friend and priest. God Bless, June Gruhn
Paul Wickstrom
July 28, 2014
You were the founding Father of our wonderful Santiago De Compestila parish. Our church was 3 different schools and daily masses in the homes. What a gift you were to all of us who had the privilege to know you. God picked a good shepherd in you. Rest in his Peace.
Rebecca Mendoza
July 28, 2014
St. John Neumann parish was so blessed to have you to teach us, love us, and share with us your beautiful spirit. I will be forever grateful for the guidance you provided when I chose to become a member of the church. Lift your voice now and sing as you loved to do with God's Angels.
Mary T. (Terry) Zeschmann
July 27, 2014
May God and the angels bless you, Father John! I so enjoyed your uplifting homilies at St. John Neumann Parish in Irvine. You were warm and compassionate as you presided over the funeral of my grandmother. May all the love you gave to others be returned to you tenfold. Blessings!
Bernard and Jean Herber
July 27, 2014
I had the privilege of knowing Father Shetler for the last 65 years, having met him as a fellow seminarian studying for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1949. Although our careers later took us in different directions, we stayed in contact with each other over the decades and our families became good friends. My wife, Jean, was also privileged to enjoy his good friendship. John was a dedicated, intelligent, and thoughtful servant of God who used his gracious personality, dominating smile, and superb sense of humor to make the world a better place in the spirit of Christ. His community with God was not only affiliated with the Catholic Church, it also encompassed a strong ecumenical presence as evidenced by his friendship links with members of the Lutheran clergy.
gloria gunton
July 27, 2014
Rest in peace Father Shetler.. I remember you from St. Annes parish in Santa Ana some 55 years ago. You were a wonderful shepherd.
Sylvia Valle
July 26, 2014
My sincere condolences to all who knew Father John. He will forever remain in my heart. The heavens are rejoicing! It was thru his kindness, his humble demeanor, his humor that I again came to know My Lord.
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