Rev. Msgr. John Bernard Dewane
Deceased: 2024-02-15
Diocese: GREEN BAY
ICTE Fall: 2015
Rev. Monsignor John Bernard Dewane, 89, Sheboygan, died Thursday, February 15, 2024. He was born January 7, 1935 in Valders, WI to Rolland and Alice (Cisler) Dewane.
Msgr. Dewane was educated at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and at St. Paul Seminary with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1960. He continued his education at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, receiving a Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1961 and Licentiate of Sacred Theology in 1963. He received a Master of Arts in Counseling from Marquette University in 1970 and a Doctor of Ministry from St. Mary Seminary and University in 1990. Msgr. Dewane served in the United States Army Reserve from 1953-1961.
On December 19, 1962, Msgr. Dewane was ordained by Archbishop Martin O’Connor at Christ the King Church in Rome. He started his ministry as assistant priest at St. Jude in Green Bay (1963); St. Mary in Kaukauna (1963) and St. Mary in Menasha (1964). In 1970, Msgr. Dewane became the administrator of Lourdes Academy in Oshkosh until his appointment as co-pastor of St. Mary in Kaukauna in 1978. Msgr. Dewane became the pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Ashwaubenon in 1979. In 1983, Msgr. Dewane was appointed the Commissioner of Ecumenical Affairs plus held a dual appointment as pastor of St. Mary in Peshtigo and Administrator of Catholic Central High School in Marinette. Msgr. Dewane was the Episcopal Vicar for Vicariate III in 1986. He was reappointed as pastor of St. Mary in Kaukauna in 1988. Msgr. Dewane was appointed Vicar of Priests for the Diocese of Green Bay in 1991 and was the Priest Moderator of St. Joseph in Kellnersville in 1993. From 1994-2004, he was appointed Vicar for Administration, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Green Bay. He served a five-year term with the College of Consultors. On April 11, 1997, Msgr. Dewane was named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II. In 2005, after receiving Senior Priest status, Msgr. Dewane served as temporary administrator of St. Bernard Parish in Appleton; Stella Maris Parish in Egg Harbor; Quad Parishes in Green Bay; St. Mary of Bear Creek and St. Rose in Clintonville. In 2006 Msgr. Dewane became Spiritual Director at the Casa Santa Maria in Rome. He returned to the United States in 2011 and began teaching at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Hales Corners until 2017. He continued to celebrate Mass at many parishes within the Diocese of Green Bay until 2019.
Msgr. Dewane is survived by his brother Lawrence (Ann) Servais, Two Rivers, WI; sister-in-law Marlene Dewane, Two Rivers, WI; sister-in-law Linda Servais, Surprise, AZ; nephew Jeff (Molly) Dewane, Sheboygan Falls, WI; niece Kay Dewane, De Pere, WI; nephew Phil (Mary) Stangel, Manitowoc; nephew Jim (Laurie) Stangel, Tisch Mills, WI; nephew John (Karen) Stangel, Kaukauna, WI; niece Theresa (Mark) Weyker, Oak Creek, WI; nephew Mike (Sarah) Stangel, Green Bay, WI; niece Margaret Stangel, Manitowoc, WI; nephew Jason (Dawn) Servais, Surprise, AZ; nephew Jeremy (Hope) Servais, Surprise, AZ. Other relatives and friends also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alice and Rolland Dewane; siblings, Beverly (Ben) Stangel, Gerald Dewane and Leland Servais; and stepfather, Clarence Servais.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Catholic education charity of their choice.
The family would like to thank all staff at Countryside Manor and Tabitha, Megan, and Katelyn at Compassus Hospice for their kind, loving care.
Reception of the body by The Very Rev. Mark Vander Steeg, Diocese of Green Bay, will take place at 4:00p Monday, February 26 at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Avenue Green Bay, WI. Visitation will follow from 4:00p to 7:00p Monday with a prayer service at 7:00p. Visitation will continue at St. Lawrence Church-Stangelville, N2085 Co Rd AB, Denmark, WI 54208, from 9:00a to 11:00a on Tuesday February 27. The funeral liturgy, expressing our faith and our hope in the promised glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, will be at 11:00a Tuesday at the church with Bishop David L. Ricken as presider and Rev. Mark Vander Steeg will be homilist and concelebrant. Burial will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery-Stangelville. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
