Father John J. Maes, a retired priest of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City, died May 27, 2024, in Columbia, Missouri. He was 84.

Father Maes was born in Great Bend, Kansas., the son of Ben and Elizabeth Ann (Schartz) Maes. He attended elementary school at Immaculate Conception Catholic Grade School in Claflin; and high school at Maur Hill, Atchison, and Claflin Rural High. He attended Fort Hays State in Hays for two years before entering the seminary. He graduated from Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri., earning his bachelor's degree in Philosophy and his master's degree in Religion.

Father Maes was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1967, at Immaculate Conception Church in Claflin by the Most Rev. Marion F. Forst.

Father Maes served as Vicar General for nearly 14 years under Bishop Stanley G. Schlarman and Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore. He also served the Diocese as Director of Vocations, Chairman of the Liturgical Commission, and as a member of the Presbyteral Council.

His pastorates included: St. Joseph, Ashland; Sacred Heart Cathedral, Dodge City; St. John the Evangelist, Hoisington; St. Andrew, Wright; St. John the Baptist, Spearville; and St. Joseph, Ellinwood, with Immaculate Conception, Claflin.

Survivors include: nieces, Kelly (John) Williams, Stacey Brown; nephew Eric (Laura) Brown; brother-in-law, Truman (Kathy) Brown; great niece, Alexandra Touch; great nephews, Jared Touch, Nicholas Williams, and Matthew Williams.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Janice.

Funeral vigil with evening prayer will be at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 16, 2024 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 17, 2024 at the church. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. Monday in Pleasant View Cemetery, Claflin.  Visitation will be Sunday, June 16, 2024 from noon to 4:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.

Memorials are suggested to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe or the Long-Term Care Fund for Priests at the Diocese of Dodge City in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.