died, Wednesday, July 29, 1998 at Medina General Hospital after having received the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments. Reverend Mr. Petrus suffered a heart attack.

James E. Petrus was born on May 19, 1937 in Cleveland, Ohio, to John and Marie Petrus. James graduated from Benedictine High School in Cleveland in 1955 and received a Bachelor Degree from Akron University in 1971. He was an aircraft mechanic in the United States Air Force in Japan and was honorably discharged in 1961. He was employed as an engineer for the City of Cleveland until his retirement in 1995.

James married Matsu Sachiko Ichihara on January 27, 1962. James and Sachiko met during his years in Japan while a member of the United States Air Force. Their marriage brought them two daughters, Therese and Cheryl Ann and one son, Gregory.

James was ordained to the diaconate on May 31, 1986 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland, Ohio, by the Most Reverend Anthony M. Pilla. Following his ordination, he was assigned to Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Cleveland and St. Francis de Sales Parish in. Parma. He served as Parish Administrator of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Parish from 1990 until its closing in 1993. In 1992 James was also assigned to St. Martin of Tours Parish in Valley City, Ohio, where he was serving at the time of his death. In addition, Deacon Petrus was appointed as chaplain at the Grafton Correctional Institute in Grafton, Ohio in 1995. He continued ministering to the inmates at Grafton Prison until his death.