Reverend Stephen J Emerick Jr.

Reverend Stephen J Emerick Jr passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 96. He was born in Dayton, Ohio on July 27, 1926, to Stephen J. Sr and Barbara E. (nee Amann) Emerick and baptized at St. Anthony Church, Dayton. After high school, Father Emerick enlisted and served in the US Air Force, World War II, 1944-1945. He attended the University of Dayton and received a B.A. in 1949. Father Emerick entered the seminary in 1952, studying philosophy at St. Gregory Seminary in Mt. Washington and theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained on May 31, 1958, at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati, Ohio by Archbishop Karl J. Alter.

Father Emerick served many parishes over the years in Dayton, Springfield, and Cincinnati, Ohio. In the Cincinnati area specifically, he served at St. Ann Parish in Groesbeck and St. Vivian Parish in Finneytown. His last assignment, from which he retired, was St. Peters Parish in New Richmond. While serving in a parish capacity at many of these churches, he was also teaching at area Catholic High Schools. After sustaining ill health, Father Emerick went on to serve as chaplain at the nursing homes where he lived; in Cincinnati, Milford, and Mariemont.

He was an avid Bridge player and fan of the Cincinnati Reds. He attended many home games to root for the Reds. Father Emerick was also a flower fancier growing many Dahlias, to the delight of his neighbors.

He was preceded in death by parents: Stephen Sr. and Barbara Emerick; and sister: Barbara Marlay.

Father Emerick is survived by his niece: Lisa (William) Shorb; nephew: Andrew Marlay; 1 great niece and 2 great nephews and his extended church family.

Visitation will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 10010 Carolina Trace Rd., Harrison, Ohio 45030 on Monday July 17,2023 from 9 am until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:15 am.  On Thursday July 20, 2023, at 1:00 pm a Graveside service will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Retirement Fund for Religious through the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

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