Bishop Edward Malesic will celebrate the funeral Mass for Father James R. Becherer t 11 a.m. May 5 in St. Joseph Church, 32929 Lake Road, Avon Lake. Father Ned Weist will be the homilist.
Father Becherer, 96, a senior priest-retired, died on May 1.
At the request of the family, there will be no vespers or visitation.
Father Becherer was the son of the late Raymond Francis and Evelyn Ann (Burke). He was educated at St. Peter School in Butler, Pennsylvania; Butler High School in Butler; St. Gregory Seminary in Cincinnati; and Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland.
He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Edward Hoban on Dec. 18, 1954 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Father Becherer’s first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina. On June 21, 1960, he was transferred to St. Martha Parish in Akron to serve as parochial vicar. In addition to this assignment, he served as assistant director of the Family Life Bureau in the Akron Deanery. Father Becherer was assigned on Nov. 6, 1964 to serve as parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish in Akron.
He enrolled in marriage counseling studies at The Catholic University of America on June 10, 1965. On June 15, 1967, Father Becherer was appointed director of the Family Counseling Clinic with residence at Holy Family Parish in Cleveland. In addition to this assignment, he provided for the spiritual needs of residents at Rose-Mary Home, effective June 7, 1972.
On Feb. 17, 1988, Father Becherer was released from diocesan assignment. He retired on May 2, 1990.
Father Becherer dedicated his priestly ministry to marriage and family counseling. Those who knew him said he will be missed, noting that his smile and gentle spirit brought joy to parishioners where he provided weekend help.
Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Avon.