Reverend Michael Peltzer

Rev. H. Michael Peltzer, a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Wichita, died Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Wichita, KS, at the age of 70. Michael Peltzer was born August 4, 1953, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Dr. William and Mary Kathryn (Kavanagh) Peltzer. He was baptized a week later in St. Bridget church at Omaha. The family moved to Andale, Kansas shortly after his birth. After his father was ready to begin his dental practice in east Wichita, the family then moved there and settled in a small apartment near the dental office, in the Oliver and Douglas area, until they were able to move into a home in west Wichita, where they lived for many years. While there, Michael attended St. Francis of Assisi grade school and graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in 1971. After attending Kansas Newman College (now Newman University) in Wichita for a few years, he entered the Seminary of St. Pius X in Erlanger, Kentucky, just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the fall of 1974, to begin studies for the priesthood. After receiving his B.A. degree there, he transferred to Mt. St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he completed his theological studies, obtaining his M. Div. and M.A. in Church History, with high honors. He returned to Wichita, where he was ordained a priest May 10, 1980, in St. Mary's Cathedral and celebrated his first Mass the following day in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Father Peltzer's first assignment was as associate pastor in St. Patrick Catholic Church at Wichita, where he served from 1980 until the fall of 1984. He was then transferred to Christ the King Catholic Church in Wichita, where he served as associate pastor until the winter of 1987. During his years in Wichita, Father Peltzer served as chaplain of the Padilla Club, which was a Catholic single's club, and as confessor to the women religious in the Wichita area. He also assisted in the diocesan archives, where he had the monumental task of researching and writing the history of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, in preparation for its centennial in 1987. He and his mother, Mary K. co-authored the commemorative book on the history of the diocese, which was published in time for the celebration. On February 10, 1987, Father Peltzer was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart church in Eureka, Kansas, along with its missions at St. John church in Hamilton and St. Teresa of Avila church in Madison, an assignment which was to last nearly twelve years. During his stay there, he updated the parish histories and records; saw to the restoration of the parish rectory in Eureka and St. Teresa church in Madison, relandscaping of the parish grounds and served as chaplain of the local Knights of Columbus. He was also active in the Greenwood County Historical Society. Along with his building committee in Eureka, he directed the construction of the new parish hall for Sacred Heart church, a project which had been the pride and joy of the Eureka parishioners since its completion in 1992. Father Peltzer also directed the planning of the Centennial of St. John church in Hamilton, whichwas celebrated in April 1988. It was with heavy heart that, after nearly twelve years in Greenwood County, he was asked by his Bishop to transfer to a more demanding post in Harper County in the summer of 1998. He became entwined in the lives of parishioners and friends in the Greenwood County area and the severing of long ties of friendship presented a very personal challenge to him. Therefore, it was on August 2, 1998, when he left Eureka to begin his new field of labor in the vineyard of the Lord, in the St. Joan of Arc Parish community in Harper County. The new parish consists of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Harper, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Danville and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Anthony. It was an unusual arrangement of one consolidated parish consisting of three churches, which was a challenge that Father Peltzer accepted, thanks to the experience of caring for three churches in his previous assignment. While in Harper County, he continued his interest in history; saw to the much-needed improvement of parish facilities; continued with the restoration of the historic Immaculate Conception church in Danville, which was in process when he arrived as pastor. He also served as chaplain for the local Knights of Columbus and found time to keep up with his hobbies of working on scrapbooks, family history and studying church architecture. He enjoyed the companionship of a pet, a cat named "Buckwheat," over the years. Father Peltzer is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. William and Mary K. Peltzer; and sister, Heidi Marie Peltzer. He is survived by his brother, Christopher; sister and brother-in-law, Theresa and Michael Elpers; niece, Tara (Carlos) Munoz; nephews, Jacob (Katie) Elpers, Jesse (Emilie) Elpers, Isaac Elpers and fiancé, Elizabeth Mick, and Jack Nowlin; great nieces and nephews, Diego and Ignacio Munoz, Elizabeth, Rebekah, Isabelle and Cecilia Elpers, and Murphy Elpers. Rosary will be 7:00 pm, Monday, April 15, 2024, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Funeral Mass at 10:00 am, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Wichita, KS with a luncheon to follow. Graveside service will be at 1:30 pm, at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery-Andale, KS. Memorials have been established with: Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 3550 North 167th Street West, Colwich, KS 67030, and St. Bridget Catholic Church, 4112 South 26th Street, Omaha, NE 68107. Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.

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