Posted January 8, 2026

Reverend John J. Sibel, retired, resident, Villa Saint Joseph, Darby, died on Friday, January 2, 2026.

Father Sibel was born on August 28, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late John J. Sibel and the late Elizabeth Dougherty. Father Sibel attended Assumption B.V.M. Parochial School, Feasterville, and Bishop Egan High School, Fairless Hills, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Sibel was ordained on May 20, 1972, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia by His Eminence John Cardinal Krol. Father Sibel served as Parochial Vicar, Saint Clement Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Leo Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Joseph Parish, Spring City; and Saint Jerome Parish, Philadelphia. He also served on the Faculty at Saint Pius X High School, Pottstown, and as Chaplain at Immaculate University. He attended the Pontifical North American College in Rome and the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. He served as Director in the Office for Communication from 1982-1990. He served as Pastor at Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish, Philadelphia; Holy Saviour Parish, Linwood; and Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Philadelphia. He served as Parochial Vicar with senior priest status at Saint Matthew Parish, Conshohocken, and Saint Joseph Parish, Fallsington. He retired from active ministry in August 2017.

The Reception of the Body will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM, in the Chapel of Villa Saint Joseph, 1436 Lansdowne Avenue, Darby, followed by a viewing. Most
Reverend Edward Deliman will celebrate the Funeral Mass, and Reverend Monsignor Henry McKee will be the homilist.

Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.