BETHEL PARK, Pa. — Fr. Joseph Anthony Seiter,

C.S.Sp., a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, died September 2nd at Libermann Hall, the Spiritan Retirement Center in Bethel Park, Pa. He was 87.

Father Seiter was born February 25, 1936, in Conway. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School there. He professed his vows as a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit in August 1957 at Holy Ghost Novitiate in Ridgefield, Conn. In June 1962, he was ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary in Norwalk, Conn.

In January 1964, Fr. Seiter was appointed to East Africa and ministered as a missionary priest in Arusha, Tanzania, for 20 years. Upon returning to the States, he served at parishes and hospitals in Michigan, Texas, California, and Arkansas, including St. Joseph Church in Conway. He retired in 2009.

Fr. Seiter was the eighth of 11 children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Mary Enderlin Seiter (Conway); his brothers, Leo (Dallas), Charles (Dallas), Paul Alfred, and Larry (Conway); and his sisters, Barbara Ketcheside (Conway), Helen Eckelhoff (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Martha McNeil (North Little Rock), Ernestine Moix (San Antonio), and Mary Ann.

Fr. Seiter was born between Paul Alfred and Mary Ann, both of whom died in infancy.

Fr. Seiter is survived by his brother, Louis (Mobile, Ala.); his sister-in-law, Jane Mazzanti Seiter (Mobile); his sisterin-law, Mary Joe Simon Seiter (Conway); and 29 nieces and nephews.

Fr. Seiter’s funeral Mass was September 7th at the Spiritan Center in Bethel Park. He was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sharpsburg, Pa.

A memorial Mass is scheduled in Conway at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 28, in St. Joseph Church, 1115 College Ave.

In memory of Fr. Seiter, donations may be made to the St. Joseph School Endowment, P.O. Box 72, Conway, Ark. 72033. Donations may also be made to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (designated for retirement or the educations of future Holy Spirit Fathers and Brothers), 6230 Brush Run Road, Bethel Park, Pa. 15102.