Divine Word Father John Rodney, 88, died Oct. 11 in Techny.

Born in Chicago, Father Rodney grew up in St. Elizabeth, Chicago’s oldest African-American parish. As a teenager in 1946, he enrolled in Divine Word Seminary at East Troy, Wisconsin, and professed religious vows in 1952.

After completing his seminary studies in 1960, he was ordained to the priesthood. Father Rodney continued his studies while serving in pastoral ministries. He earned master’s degrees in classical languages and German literature and a doctorate in comparative literature.

During the 1960s, he provided pastoral care for parishes in predominantly African-American communities, including St. Anselm and Our Lady of the Gardens. In 1967, he was assigned to Divine Word seminary in East Troy. He later taught college-level German, Spanish, Latin and Greek at Divine Word seminaries. He also served as a hospital and nursing home chaplain in Washington, D.C.