Died, 14 October 2009, at Marymount Hospital, after having received the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments.

 Joseph W. Skrha was born on 29 March 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Joseph graduated from Cathedral Latin High School in 1944.  He received a BS degree in chemistry/biology from John Carroll University in 1947 and received an MD from Stritch School of Medicine of Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois in 1951.  Joseph was self-employed as a physician for over fifty years.

 Joseph married Betty Ann (Betts) Stasny on 5 June 1954.  Their marriage gave them four children:  Joseph, Betsy Ann (Kennedy), Paul (deceased 1986) and John and four grandchildren.

 Joseph was ordained to the permanent diaconate on 19 June 1977 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland, Ohio by the Most Reverend James A. Hickey.  Following his ordination, he served as pastoral minister at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Cleveland where he ministered until 1993 and as Director of Pastoral Care of St. Alexis Hospital, which later became St. Michael Hospital until St. Michael Hospital closed in 2003.  Joseph exercised a full liturgical ministry including preaching, baptizing and witnessing marriages.  In keeping with his ministry as physician/deacon, he ministered to the sick in both hospitals and nursing homes.  He also taught the pastoral care of the sick course to diaconate candidates in formation for six years.  He continued to minister as a deacon until his death.