Funeral Mass set for Eileen Von Alt, former secretary to diocesan bishops

The funeral Mass for Eileen F. Von Alt will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 12 in the Holy Spirit Chapel at Jennings, 10204 Granger Road, Garfield Heights.

Von Alt, 95, died Aug. 5.

She served the Diocese of Cleveland for 51 years before retiring in 2017. Von Alt was the longtime personal secretary to the late Bishop Anthony Pilla and the late Bishop Richard Lennon. She also served as secretary for Toledo Bishop Daniel Thomas when he was the diocesan administrator after Bishop Lennon’s retirement in December 2016. Before moving to the bishop’s office, she worked at St. John College.

Von Alt had a wealth of knowledge about the diocese and those who knew her said she treated people with respect and always tried to help them.

Survivors include a sister, Mary Louise Sexton (Arthur); a nephew, Michael Von Alt; a cousin, Carol Ann States and close friend, Palmira Juras. She was predeceased by a brother, Robert Von Alt (Sandra) and a niece, Lisa Ann Byoune.

Von Alt was a longtime member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood.

Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park.