Rev. Joseph L. Bestler

With faith in the Resurrection of Jesus, we offer our prayers for Rev. Joseph L. Bestler who entered eternal life on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the age of 83.

Fr. Joe was born on February 20, 1931 in Appleton to the late Joseph A. and Doretta (Ertl) Bestler. He attended St. Nazianz Junior College and St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, MN. Fr. Joe was ordained at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay, on June 1, 1957, by Bishop Stanilaus V. Bona.

He received his Masters degree in Family Studies from St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada in 1977 and his doctorate from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, NY in 1979. Fr. Joe completed post-doctoral studies at Family Institute at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL in 1983.

His first appointment was as Assistant at St. John the Evangelist, Green Bay (1957). Fr. Joe then served as Assistant at St. Mary Kaukauna (1964) and Temporary Administrator at St. Sebastian, Isaar (1967). In 1967, he was appointed Pastor in Suring with mission at Chute Lake. Fr. Joe served as Pastor of his home parish, St. Therese, Appleton from 1970 – 1975. He was Temporary Administrator at St. Casimir, Northeim (1975), and St. Mary, Leopolis (1976). In 1979, Fr. Joe was appointed Pastor of St. Raphael, Oshkosh; part-time Associate Pastor of St. Bernard, Appleton (1984); Pastor of St. Denis, Shiocton (1985), and Priest Moderator of St. Patrick, Stephensville (1993) while remaining Pastor of St Denis, Shiocton.

Due to health reasons, Fr. Joe was granted early retirement in 1996, but took on the duties of Sacramental Minister of St. Mary, Oshkosh (1996), and Sacramental Minister and Priest Moderator at St. Louis, Dyckesville (2000 - 2005).

He was appointed Field Advocate in the Marriage Tribunal in 1981. Fr. Joe held Clinical Membership in the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy. He was licensed by the State of Wisconsin as a Marriage & Family therapist, and served as a staff therapist at Fox Valley Pastoral Counseling Center in Appleton, Neenah, and Menasha.

Fr. Joe was an avid reader, a walker in summer, and a cross-country skier in winter. He loved to travel throughout the United States and Canada. Fr. Joe was a gentle man. He loved his home overlooking the Bay and the beautiful sunsets he enjoyed there. He was loved and respected by the people he served throughout the Diocese.

Survived by his sisters Lois (Francis) DeGroot of Greenville, WI., and Sister Christine Marie of Carmel Monastery, Iron Mountain, MI.; friend and caretaker Corinne Gariepy, Green Bay; one niece: Chris Albert of Sauk City, two nephews: Joe Quevillion of Green Bay and Dave Quevillion of Hortonville, cousins, many friends, and wonderful neighbors.

Also preceded in death an infant sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Reception of the body will take place at St. Louis Church, N8726 County Line Rd., Dyckesville, WI from 4 P.M. – 8 P.M. Wednesday. Parish prayer service at 7 P.M. Wednesday evening at church. Thursday visitation will continue at St. Louis Church, Dyckesville from 10 A.M. until the time of the funeral. The funeral liturgy, expressing our faith and hope in the promised glory of the Lord’s Resurrection will be held 11 A.M. Thursday at St. Louis Church in Dyckesville with Bishop Robert Morneau and Rev. John Van Deuren concelebrating. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Appleton.

Special thanks to the staff of Unity Hospice, Rev. John Van Deuren and Pat Ratajczak for their special care and compassion.

MALCORE Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.malcorefuneralhome.com to send an online condolence.