January 28, 1946
Father John Siebrandt
Father Siebrandt was born on August 26, 1898 in Wichita. Following his graduation from eighth grade at the Pro-Cathedral School, he attended St. Benedict’s College, Atchison, Kansas, and Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. Bishop Thomas Lillis ordained him for the Diocese of Wichita in the cathedral in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 25, 1924. Fr. Siebrandt spent four months in El Dorado and the rest of his priesthood at St. Mary’s Parish, Aleppo. During his years in the parish he built the brick school, the rectory, and renovated the church. “Father Siebrandt was an unassuming servant of God.” (The Advance Register, July 8, 1946) He died at St. Francis Hospital on January 28, 1946 following a heart attack on Christmas night. Sixty priests and an over-flow crowd of parishioners attended the funeral Mass celebrated by Bishop Winkelmann at Aleppo. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Wichita.