Funeral Mass for Father Jerome D. Stluka, 81, who died Saturday, April 4, was celebrated Thursday, April 9 at Columbus Our Lady of Peace Church. Burial was at Resurrection Cemetery, Lewis Center.
He was born on July 18, 1944 in Columbus to Emil and Mildred (Haugen) Stluka.
He was a 1962 graduate of Columbus Bishop Watterson High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966 from Columbus St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1968 and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1970 from the Gregorian University in Rome. He did additional studies at the Vatican II Institute in 1989.
He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec.19, 1969 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City by Auxiliary Bishop James Hickey of Saginaw, Michigan.
He served as assistant pastor of Columbus St. Augustine and St. Aloysius churches and Lancaster St. Mary Church and pastor of Columbus Holy Spirit and Holy Cross churches.
He also served at various times as vocations director for the diocese; associate director and director of the diocesan family life bureau; chaplain to the Ohio State University Medical Center, the Columbus St. Joseph Academy Alumni Association and Grant Hospital; and a member of the diocesan priest personnel board.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Virginia (Beltrondo) Stluka; and a brother, Eugene. Survivors include sisters Mary Jane Cope and Rosalie and a stepsister, Mary Cecelia (Tim) Neviska.