May 13, 1938
Father John Disselkamp
Father Disselkamp was born on August 4, 1854 in Herzfeld, Westfallen, Germany. After attending the seminary in Louvain, Belgium, he was ordained for the Diocese of Leavenworth on May 19, 1883. During his fifty-five years as a priest he served at Topeka in the Diocese of Leavenworth and at Great Bend, Wichita, Olmitz, Windthorst, Independence, Spearville and Strong City in the Diocese of Wichita. In July of 1931 he retired from the active ministry and moved to Spearville until his death on May 13, 1938. “Father Disselkamp laid the foundations of the present prosperous Diocese of Wichita.” (The Catholic Advance, May 21, 1938) Bishop Schwertner attended the funeral and burial of Father Disselkamp in Spearville on May 18, 1938.