Father John Harth

Father John Harth was born September 8, 1950, in Mendota, Illinois. He died at the age of 75 on April 16, 2026 in Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, following a brief illness, fortified with sacraments and surrounded by family and friends. He was preceded in death by his Father, Otto Harth and his Mother, Agnes (Bildhauer) Harth, and his brother Robert Harth. He is survived by his brother, Mel Harth of Mendota, Illinois, nephew, Jeff Harth of Maine, nieces Vickie Harth, Kellie (Harth) Bucci and nephew Phil Harth of Illinois, and eleven great (and great-great) nieces and nephews. Father Harth graduated (high school) from Saint Bede Academy, Peru, IL, in 1968. He went on to attend Illinois Valley Community College and Eastern Illinois University. He attended the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus Ohio, and was ordained February 27, 1987, by the Most Reverend John J. Leibrecht, Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau in Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso, Missouri. Father John began his first assignment for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau as Associate Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Joplin, Missouri, on February 27, 1987. In August of 1988 he was assigned as pastor at St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish in El Dorado Springs and St. Peter the Apostle mission church in Stockton. His next assignment began in August 1991, where he served as pastor at St. Canera Parish in Neosho and Nativity of Our Lord Mission in Noel for 10 years. On August 17, 2000, Father Harth moved to the east side of the diocese to take up responsibilities as pastor of Guardian Angel Parish in Oran. In July of 2008, Father John became the pastor of Immaculate Conception in Jackson until his retirement on July 1, 2020. During his years at Immaculate Conception, he served as pastor of St. John Parish in Leopold and St. Anthony Mission in Glennon from 2008-2010. He also served as Parochial Administrator for one year at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Fredericktown in 2016. He served as a priest of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau for 39 years. In addition to his pastoral assignments, he served as Chaplain of Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau, the Diocesan Communications Advisory Board. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Bishop Timon Council #6405 as well as a dedicated member of Immaculate Conception Assembly #2099 as a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. Before becoming a priest, and born with a voice made for the airwaves, Fr. John enjoyed a career as a television/radio broadcaster. As a high school sophomore in 1965, Fr. John worked at hometown radio station, WGLC in Mendota, IL. He went on to work at several radio and TV stations in his home state of Illinois and in New Jersey. Later he moved to southeast Missouri to take a position as news and sports director at KGMO-radio in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, then spent seven years at KFVS-TV, in Cape Girardeau, before entering the seminary in the early 1980's. Father Harth has also been an emergency services priest chaplain since 1987. He served as Public Relations officer for the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC), where he earned the top certification with ICPC as a Master Chaplain and was the Editor of the ICPC Journal for many years. As a priest chaplain he volunteered for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Cape Girardeau County Chaplains Unit, the Bollinger and Scott County Sheriff's offices, the Kelso and Oran, Missouri, Police Departments, Jackson, Fire/Rescue and the Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management Agency. He also served as a priest chaplain for the Secret Service in their Southeast Missouri jurisdiction. He found it very gratifying to minister to police officers, emergency personnel and firefighters for many years in southeast Missouri. Visitation will be 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Parish Prayers and Knights of Columbus Council #6405 Rosary will follow at 7:00 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 am Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson, Missouri with the Bishop Edward M. Rice officiating. Additional visitations will be 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday, April 24, 2026 and 9:00 am to 11:00 am Saturday, April 25, 2026 at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Peterstown, Illinois. Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 am Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the church. Burial will be at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Cemetery in Peterstown, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be given to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Building Fund, 208 S. Hope St., Jackson, MO 63755. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com or notes of condolence may be mailed to: The Harth Family, 1501 W. Main Street, Mendota, IL 61342. Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Wasmer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements in Peterstown, Illinois.

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Father John Harth

September 8, 1950 - April 16, 2026