Visitation for Father Michael S. Franz will take place 9-10:45 a.m. May 8 in St. Stephen Church, 1930 W. 54th St., Cleveland.
Bishop Edward Malesic will be the main celebrant at Father Franz’s funeral Mass at 11 a.m. May 8, immediately following visitation. Father Charlie Ryba will be the homilist.
Father Franz, 87, died on May 1.
He was born May 30, 1938 to the late Dr. Sheldon and Elizabeth (Pryor) Franz.
Father Franz was educated at St. Luke School and St. Edward High School, both in Lakewood, the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland.
Bishop Clarence Issenmann ordained him to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 31, 1969 in St. Gregory the Great Church, South Euclid.
After ordination, Father Franz’s first assignment was as parochial vicar of St. Basil the Great Parish, Brecksville. He was transferred on Sept. 30, 1969 to serve as parochial vicar at our Lady of Mount Carmel, Wickliffe. On June 28, 1972, he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Rose Parish, Cleveland. Father Franz was transferred on Feb. 2, 1977 to serve as parochial vicar at St. Thomas More Parish, Brooklyn. On July 26, 1983 he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Akron. Father Franz was appointed parochial vicar of St. Francis Parish, Cleveland on Jan. 15, 1985. During this assignment, he also served as chaplain at Brentwood and Suburban Community hospitals, effective Sept. 12, 1985.
Father Franz was named pastor of St. Stephen Parish, Cleveland on Aug. 1, 1987, where he served until retiring on Sept. 1, 2013.
Those who knew him said Father Franz was a faithful servant of the Church who will be remembered as being kind, yet firm, a staunch defender of the faith, an advocate for the rights of the unborn and a faithful priest who did his best to convert hearts to Christ.
Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park.