Father John J. Strebig, 88, entered eternity on Thursday, April 9, 2015, to be welcomed by the Lord Jesus, whom he served as a priest for 63 years. He took his last breath as the Albertine Sisters prayed the rosary at his side.
He preached and practiced the Catholic Faith with humble piety and devotion. As a priest and pastor he treated his people with kindness and gentleness. He has a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and considered himself committed to pro-life postures in public society. Father Strebig was a graduate of Cathedral Grade School in Fort Wayne, IN, Sacred Heart Seminary in Fort Wayne and St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, IN. He was ordained a priest on May 22, 1952, in the Cathedral at Fort Wayne. The parochial assignments of Father Strebig were many. he was an assistant priest at Holy Name in Cedar Lake, St. John Bosco in Hammond, St. Mary in East Chicago and St. Bridget in Hobart, where he was the founding pastor. His last assignment was as pastor at Sacred Heart in LaPorte. Named a senior priest in 1997, he spent the last years of his life in residence at the Albertine Home in Hammond.
He is survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester Charles Strebig and Dessie Mann Strebig; his brother, Dr. Charles Strebig; and his sister, Jean Stayanoff.
The Funeral Liturgy and Eucharist will be celebrated Thursday, April 16, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, LaPorte. The Divine Office will be prayed at 10:30 a.m. with Mass at 11 a.m. Bishop of Gary Donald Hying will celebrate the Eucharist with priests of the Diocese concelebrating. On Wednesday, April 15, 2015 after the Rite of Reception at 4 p.m., the body of Father Strebig will lie in state until closing prayers at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be in the priests’ section of Catholic Cemetery in Fort Wayne.
Memorial gifts in Father Strebig’s name may be made to the Albertine Home, 1501 Hoffman St., Hammond, IN 46327.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.