Date of death: 2/6/2005
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1978
Reverend Stephen K. Potter, 52, Rockford, died at 10:06 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford IL following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born April 11, 1952 in Teaneck, New Jersey, son of Thomas A. and Joan J. Wanta Potter. He attended St. John’s College High School, Washington, D.C. from 1966-1968 and Anderson Senior High School, Cincinnati, OH from 1968-1970. He attended Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL from 1970-1974 and then studied theology at St. Meinrad School of Theology, St. Meinrad, IN from 1974-1978. He received his doctorate of ministry from St. Mary Of The Lake, Mundelein and an MS in Counseling from Northern Illinois University. He was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill at Holy Angels Parish in Aurora on June 17, 1978. Father Potter served as Associate Pastor for Holy Family Parish, Rockford from 1978-1981, Associate Pastor for St. Margaret Mary Parish, Algonquin from 1981-1984, Associate Pastor for Christ the Teacher Parish, DeKalb from 1984-1988. On Jan. 27, 1988, Father Potter was named Pastor of Christ the Teacher Parish and Director Of Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Rockford and served in both offices until June 13, 1995. Father was then named Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Crystal Lake on June 13, 1995 and served there until Oct. 6, 2000, when he was named Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, McHenry. He then served as Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, McHenry, until March 3, 2004. He taught at Boylan Central Catholic High School for 3 years and 2 years at Marian Central Catholic High School. He also taught at Loyola University for 8 years. He was a volunteer police chaplain for the departments in Rockford, DeKalb and Crystal Lake. Survivors include his parents, Thomas and Joan; brothers, Tom (Larry), David (Vicki) and John (Tamara); sisters, Tina (Alan) Adamek and Maria (Dennis) Dierckens; nieces and nephews, David, Jason (Hallie), Christopher, Lauren, Jenyca, Zachary, Ana and Danielle. He is also survived by his very good friends, the Sharpe family, Elaine, Dennis, Erica, Stephanie and Nathaniel.