Date of death: 8/30/2008
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1950
Father John “Jack” Emge, 82, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville, died at St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was a noted homilist, and known for his friendliness.Father Emge was born in Evansville, Jan. 7, 1926, the son of Emil and Della (Garmon) Emge.He was raised in Fort Branch, Ind., until his junior year in high school. He graduated from Memorial High School in Evansville in 1943. He was the student manager of the Memorial football team under the celebrated coach Don Ping.His seminary studies included St. Mary College in St. Mary, KY, and Saint Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, IN.He was ordained by Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman at Assumption Cathedral in Evansville on June 3, 1950.He was assigned to parishes in the Diocese of Evansville, including St. Joseph Church in Jasper, St. Simon Church in Washington, and St. Joseph Church in Vanderburgh County. His first pastorate was All Saints Church in Cannelburg from 1959 to 1968. His assignments also included Holy Rosary Church in Evansville, St. Clement Church in Boonville, Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Petersburg, St. John Church in Loogootee, St. Simon Church in Washington and St. Francis Xavier (the Old Cathedral) in Vincennes.His service to the diocese included a term as Dean of the Newburgh Deanery. He was chaplain of the Legion of Mary in the Washington Deanery, and Chaplain of the Evansville Deanery of Catholic Women.He retired May 1, 1994, and lived at Villa Maria, the diocesan home for retired priests near Memorial High School in Evansville. Before his death he was a resident of the former Regina Nursing Home and Little Sisters of the Poor.Father Emge was preceded in death by his parents, and his only sibling, Gene Emge.He is survived by a nephew, Mark Emge; a cousin, Faye Reine and her husband, Richard, their daughter, Laura, and sons, Stephen and Jeff. He is also survived by a stepbrother, Marc Sebastian and his children, Mark Sebastian and Susan Blankeberger; a stepsister-in-law, Navia Sebastian and her children, Mary Ann Lingo, Lisa Lant and Julie Sebastian; stepnieces, Sharon Ann Eaton, Rebecca Singer, Susan McCracken and Terri Freels; and a stepnephew, Frank Sebastian.