Obituary
Beloved Priest, Father John Steichen Dies March 3 in OKC

Reverend John Alfred Steichen died on Saturday, March 3, 2006 at Saint Ann Retirement Center, Oklahoma City after a short illness.  Father Steichen was born on February 8, 1926 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He was ordained on July 18, 1954 in Rome, Italy. Father Steichen attended Sapulpa High School, the St. Louis Preparatory Seminary and the Gregorian University, Rome, Italy.  Father Steichen also served in the United States Navy Reserve from June 1943 through March 1946.  

Following his ordination, Father Steichen served as associate pastor at Holy Family Cathedral, Tulsa, Oklahoma until 1959 when he became an instructor at Saint Francis Seminary.  Following his tenure as an instructor at Saint Francis Seminary he served as pastor of Saint Brigid Parish Tahlequah from 1967 through 1969.  He also served as pastor of the Church of Saint Mary, Ponca City (1969 through 1978); Sacred Heart Church, Oklahoma City (1978 through 1982) and St. Joseph Church, Union City (1982 until his retirement in 2004).   

Father Steichen was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City by Most Reverend Charles A. Salatka, Archbishop of Oklahoma City in 1980, a post he faithfully filled until his retirement.  He also served as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City from 1984 through 1996 and as a Consultor.  Father Steichen was also a Regional Vicar and served on the Council of Priests, Pastoral Board and Personnel Board in service of his fellow priests.  

Father Steichen was preceded in death by his parents Susan and Alfred Steichen; three sisters, Theresa Miller; Mary M. Steichen and Elizabeth Murray and two brothers, James and Quenton  Steichen.  He is survived by his sister Karen McGovern and his brother-in-law William McGovern and many nieces and nephews.   

All who knew Father Steichen were blessed with his quiet wisdom and enriched by his wit and sense of humor.  

Wake service was held at 7 p.m. March 7 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City.  Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 3214 Lake Avenue, Oklahoma City with interment at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, 7801 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City.  

In honor of his commitment to the formation program, family and friends are contributing to the Father Stanley Rother Seminarian Burse c/o of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Oklahoma City.