Fr. John Mark Ettensohn, OMI, dies Aug. 13, 2025

Missionary Oblate Father John Mark Ettensohn, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 13, 2025.  He was 72 years of age and just one day short of his 40th anniversary of religious vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate.

He was born in October 1952 in Jasper, Indiana, and he was the only child of Leo and Mary Catherine Ettensohn, who both preceded him in death.  His parents owned and operated the Sunlight Hotel in Cannelton, IN.  Being raised at the hotel, John Marek was exposed to all aspects of the hospitality industry, and influence would serve him well in his later ministry in retreat centers. 
 
Before joining the Missionary Oblates, Father Ettensohn taught drama, speech, and English at a high school in Indiana.  He later earned a graduate degree in telecommunications and worked as a writer, producer, and director for an ABC affiliate station in Iowa.  

Married for a brief time, Father Ettensohn was a proud father of one son, Mark, with whom he had a continuing relationship over the years.  He was also proud to be a called a grandfather.   

After the dissolution of his marriage and accepting a new calling, he sought entrance to religious life as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate.  He took vows as a Missionary Oblate in 1985.  He completed theological studies at Catholic Theological Union (Chicago) in 1989 and was ordained as a priest on Sept. 23, 1989

Father Ettensohn’s early assignments were as parochial vicar and then pastor of St. Casimir’s in St. Paul, Minnesota (1989-1993).  Resulting from his prior study of communications and mass media,  Father Ettensohn developed a strong interest in and a commitment to the ministry of evangelization, spirituality, and preaching.  Central to his ministry were the openings words of the first letter of St John: We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life. . .  

Father Ettensohn’s later assignments all reflect that charism and spirituality.  He served as a member of the Missionary Oblate preaching band, which gave parish missions throughout the United States.  He also served as director and preacher at retreat houses owned by the Missionary Oblates in Belleville, Illinois, and Buffalo, Minnesota.   He also assisted in the work of Oblate Media, which produced video and television materials for parish evangelization and catechesis.   

In 2018,  Father Ettensohn requested to be assigned to the Oblate Community at Sacred Heart to be near his son and his family in California, while continuing the preaching ministry.  He was asked to become pastor of Sacred Heart in 2022, and he was serving as pastor until his unexpected death on Aug. 13.   

 Father Ettensohn is survived by his son Mark Ettensohn, Lauren Ettensohn (daughter-in-law) and his grandchildren: Ellie, Evan and Henry.   He is also survived by his religious family of the Missionary Oblates in the United States and throughout the world and, most recently, the parish community of Sacred Heart in Oakland. 

Public visitation is Monday, Aug. 25 at 4:30 p.m., followed by a vigil service at 7 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 10:30 a.m. All services will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oakland.
 
Interment will be at St. Henry’s Oblate Cemetery in Belleville, IL, at a later date and time.