Father John F. Pfister

Fr. John F. Pfister, age 82, of Fort Wayne, IN, and formerly of Huntington, IN, passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021, at St. Anne Home, Fort Wayne, IN. 

Fr. John Pfister retired as Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntington, IN, for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in June, 2015.

Father John was born in Huntington, IN, to Francis (Hank) and Florence V. (Schellhammer) Pfister on October 17, 1939.   His parents preceded him in death.

Father is survived by one brother, William (Linda) Pfister, Munster, IN; and one sister, Margaret Anne Copa, Clearwater, FL, and her late husband, Roderick Copa.

Fr. John was ordained as a Catholic priest on May 28, 1966, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne, IN.  Father celebrated his first Mass after ordination at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Huntington, IN.

Father’s first assignment was Bishop Dwenger High School from 1966-1979, where he taught English and Religion for 5 years and then became Guidance Director.  During his first three years as a Priest he assisted at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Fort Wayne, IN.   On July 1, 1969, he was appointed Vocation Director for the diocese for 11 years.  Father was then appointed to assist at Our Lady of Good Hope, Fort Wayne, IN, from 1979-1980.  He was then appointed Pastor of St. Jude Catholic Church, Fort Wayne, IN, from 1980-1988.   From 1988-1994 he was Pastor at St. Mary of the Assumption, South Bend, IN.  He was then appointed Pastor of Queen of Angels, Fort Wayne, IN from 1994-2005.   In 2005, Father was appointed Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntington, IN, where he retired in 2015.

Father attended his elementary school years in Huntington at SS Peter & Paul Catholic School; from 1953-1959 he attended Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Syracuse, IN, for high school and first and second year college.  He then attended The Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. where he got his B.A. and M. A. in Philosophy as a Basselin Scholar from 1959-1962.  He then completed his theological studies at Theological College at The Catholic University of America from 1962-1966.

Father was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus. Father served as Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus for 35 years in councils in Fort Wane, South Bend, and Huntington.  He was State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus from 1975-1977 and State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Squires for over 15 years.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 903 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN.

A Vigil Service will follow the calling on Thursday, at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 903 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN 46750.

Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Huntington, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend for Seminarian Education or for Masses in care of McElhaney-Hart Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN  46750.

McElhaney- Hart Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, IN, is entrusted with the arrangements.  Online condolences: www.mcelhaneyhartfuneralhome.com

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