Date of death: 10/22/2018
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1967
Father John Joseph Savio, age 77, passed away on October 22, 2018 at Shepherd of the Valley Nursing Home in Casper, Wyoming. He was born on September 18, 1941, the son of Dominic and Mary (Bertolli) Savio in Crown Point, Indiana. Following studies at Holy Cross Seminary in LaCrosse, WI, he attended St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. He was ordained a Catholic priest on May 26, 1967 serving in the Diocese of Gary IN. Father John came to the Diocese of Cheyenne in 1980 and served many parishes, including St. Mary Cathedral in Cheyenne, Holy Name in Sheridan, St. Paul in Pine Bluffs, St. Mary Magdalen in Evanston, St. Patrick in Wheatland, Holy Rosary in Lander, Holy Spirit in Rock Springs, and St. James in Douglas. Following his retirement, Father resided at Our Lady of Fatima in Casper, continuing to assist in the providing of sacraments until the month of his death. Father John was known as a kind and generous priest and was sought out as a confessor, guide and mentor. He was an excellent homilist and had a voice that needed no electronic assistance. Parish employees wherever he was assigned knew of his practical jokes. He was a purveyor of poor puns and had a joke to fit every and any occasion. He will be missed by his brother priests as well as all those who received his pastoral care. Father is survived by one sister, Mary Leutkemeyer of St. Louis, MO, and numerous nieces and nephews