Fr. Carl F. Peltz

Through the life he lived each day, Fr. Carl Peltz was a man of purpose as well as a true servant of God who cared deeply about his fellow man. He was highly intelligent and deeply devoted to the people he served including during his time spent in the military. Fr. Peltz possessed a compassionate heart and will be fondly remembered for his sense of humor and tireless commitment while he faced debilitating health conditions. He was also a person who was loving and accepting toward all.

The 1950s were a time of great change in America. Rosa Parks brought civil rights to the forefront when she refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus, Alaska and Hawaii became our country’s 49th and 50th states, and by the time the decade was drawing to a close the United States and the Soviet Union were deeply invested in a race to make history in space. It was just as this exciting time was dawning that Carl F. Peltz was born on April 1, 1951, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, the oldest of 5 children born to William and Theresa (Olszewski) Peltz. Like most young people of that era, Carl was influenced by the ever changing events of the 1950’s and 1960’s and society’s challenge to the norm. These times would help shape his character and ministry.

With a deep love for the Lord, Carl was ordained as a priest on May 13, 1977 in Steubenville, Ohio and later incardinated into the Diocese of Kalamazoo on January 12, 1990. From 1983 through 1990, Fr. Peltz was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy spending three years in active duty and four years in the reserves. He was the only priest to serve 42 ships and spent time in Iceland, Sugar Creek, and Norfolk, and he truly enjoyed seeing Scotland, Ireland, and England.

Throughout his ministry in the Kalamazoo Diocese, Fr. Peltz served as Pastor in the following parishes: St. Ambrose Parish, Delton; Our Lady of Great Oak Parish, Lacey; St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Niles; St. Gabriel Parish, Berrien Springs; Holy Family Parish, Decatur; St. John Parish, Albion; and St. Anthony Parish, Buchanan. He also served as Administrator for St. Ambrose Parish, Parchment, and as Parochial Vicar for St. Joseph Parish, St. Joseph and St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Portage. Fr. Peltz was known for his preaching abilities and liturgical skills and he modeled his theology of the church after Cardinal Avery Dulles. Fr. Peltz was well versed and also published four books and 12 articles in the field of spirituality in the 1990s. He enjoyed meditating on the Gospels and the book of Psalms.

There were so many things that made Fr. Peltz extraordinary. He was very compassionate in the sacrament of reconciliation and was never judgmental or one to condemn others as he was very caring and concerned about others

A genuine, kindhearted, and compassionate man, Fr. Carl Peltz was a blessing to countless others. He lived to be a servant of God who also loved his fellow priests. Fr. Peltz was never one to be concerned with what he possessed rather, his focus was on how he could help others in ways both great and small. He truly enjoyed being a priest and was deeply devoted to the communities in which he served. Fr. Peltz will be forever missed.

Fr. Carl F. Peltz, of Kalamazoo, celebrated his final homecoming on Saturday, December 26, 2015. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral, 542 West Michigan Ave. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass and a lunch will be served immediately following in the Fr. Crowley Cathedral Center. Burial with full military honors will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please visit Fr. Peltz’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be directed to any charity that will feed the hungry and to take care of the homeless. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900).