John Matthew Ginsterblum was born on March 1, 1922, in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, the son of Anthony John and Anna Maria "Amy" DeMuth Ginsterblum.

He was a day student at the Jesuit-run Campion High School in Prairie du Chien and graduated at age 17. After a year, he entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) on September 1, 1940, in Florissant, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.

He attended St. Louis University, a Jesuit-run university in St. Louis, Missouri, receiving a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Philosophy. Following his Master's, he had three years of teacher training, then taught at Marquette University High School from 1947-1950. He took his years of theology at St. Mary's College in St. Mary's, Kansas.

Father John was ordained a Jesuit priest on June 17, 1953. Then he completed one more year of theological studies. He was a member of the Wisconsin Province of the Jesuits.

He studied further in Rome from 1955-1957, receiving a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Gregorian University. His dissertation was on Alfred North Whitehead.

Fr. Ginsterblum was stationed at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1957-1974 where he taught philosophy and mostly theology, mainly at the undergraduate level. He was Chairman of the Theology Department at Creighton from 1958-1965.

Next, he was stationed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1975-1986. He founded a house there, and taught part-time at the College of St. Catherine and the College of St. Thomas, both in St. Paul, Minnesota.

He returned to Creighton where is was Chairman of the Pastoral Care Department and a Bioethics mentor. He took Sabbaticals in London in 1970 and 1992.

Based in Minneapolis from 1992-2002, he served in replacement ministry for 10 years, helping in parishes and motherhouses for priests on sabbaticals or leaves.

He returned to Creighton on January 1, 2003, where he continued replacement ministry. On June 28, 2003, Fr. John celebrated his 50th anniversary as a Jesuit with family and friends in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

From July 2006, Fr. John lived at the Jesuit assisted living residence in Wauwatosa in the Milwaukee area.

His sister, Sr. Mary Joan Ginsterblum, O.L.V.M., came Sunday and was with Father when he passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at 5 p.m.

Father was laid out in white vestments. His concelebrated Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, October 14, at 10 a.m. Interment followed in the Jesuit section of Calvary Cemetery, a 10-minute drive from the Jesuit residence in Wauwatosa.

Information from Fr. John himself. Submitted by 1st cousin once-removed Angela, Member #48520699, whose wedding was celebrated by Fr. John.