John Baptist Franz

John Baptist Franz (October 29, 1896 – July 3, 1992) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Dodge City in Kansas (1951–1959) and bishop of the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois (1959–1971).

Biography

Early life John Franz was born on October 29, 1896, in Springfield, Illinois, to Fridolin and Louisa (née Reisch) Franz. His father worked in the meat packing business. He recalled that his parents "provided us an atmosphere that made us conscious we were Catholic and that we belonged to the Church. I never wanted to be anything but a priest." From 1920 to 1927, as a member of the Granite City-based Diocesan Mission Band, he traveled around Central Illinois and Eastern Missouri to give missions and retreats. The political turmoil of the 1960s also added to his challenges, but he still managed to create 17 new grade schools, two new high schools, one Newman Centre, four new parishes, four missions, and elevate eight missions to parish status.

Retirement and death On May 24, 1971, Pope Paul VI accepted Franz's resignation as bishop of Peoria. John Franz died in Peoria on July 3, 1992, at age 95. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Peoria.