A funeral Mass for Deacon Robert J. Bowers will be scheduled at a later date at St. Paschal Baylon Church in Highland Heights. At the request of his family, the funeral will be delayed until the coronavirus health crisis subsides.
Deacon Bowers, 85, died on May 6.
Bishop Anthony M. Pilla ordained him to the permanent diaconate for service to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland on June 1, 1985 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Deacon Bowers was assigned to serve St. Paschal Baylon and he ministered there until moving out of town to be closer to his family. At St. Paschal, Deacon Bowers was active in the retreat ministries of the parish, performed sacramental preparation and formation for baptisms and marriages and organized many key programs around these two ministries.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 51 years, Rosemary, two children and grandchildren.