The wake for Deacon Roger N. Klaas will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. Feb. 14 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 260 Broad St., Wadsworth. Father Steve Moran, pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Wooster, will preside with Father John Mulhollan, parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina, as the homilist. The wake will continue until 7 p.m.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost will be the main celebrant for Deacon Klaas’ funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Feb. 15 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. The homilist will be Father Joe Labak, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.
Deacon Klaas, 89, died on Feb. 6.
He was born Sept. 22, 1935. Survivors include his wife Helen (Thiesen), children and grandchildren.
Bishop Anthony Pilla ordained him to the permanent diaconate for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 24, 1997 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland.
After ordination, Deacon Klaas was assigned to serve Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Wadsworth. During this assignment, he also served as delegate for senior deacons, effective Nov. 1, 2002. He retired on May 1, 2016.
Those who knew him said Deacon Klaas was a good and kind man. He was always willing to be of service to anyone who needed help. Deacon Klaas enjoyed leading the OCIA program at Sacred Heart Parish with his wife Helen, greeting the students and staff at Sacred Heart School every morning, caring for the sick and homebound and visiting those in the hospital and nursing home. He was much loved and respected in the parish and will be missed.
Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wadsworth.