The wake for retired Deacon Joseph E. Loutzenhiser begins with vespers at 4 p.m. May 20 in St. Francis Xavier Church, 600 East Washington St., Medina. Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries will preside and Father Russ Rauscher will be the homilist. The wake continues until 8 p.m.
Bishop Gries will celebrate Deacon Loutzenhiser’s funeral Mass at 11 a.m. May 21 in St. Francis Xavier Church. Father Anthony Sejba will be the homilist.
Deacon Loutzenhiser, 73, died on May 14. He was born on June 27, 1947.
Bishop Edward Pevec ordained him to the permanent diaconate for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 21, 1994 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
After ordination, Deacon Loutzenhiser was assigned to St. Francis Xavier Parish, where he served until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2017. He enjoyed engaging in the ministry of word, charity and service with and for the people of the parish. Those who knew him said he would be greatly missed by his family, friends and parishioners.
Survivors include his wife Georgia (Louzier) Loutzenhiser, his children and grandchildren.
Interment will be at Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.