Date of death: 11/13/2013
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1979
O’Kruta, Father Francis A. Jr., died, at the age of 60, on November 13, 2013.He was born on December 17, 1952, in East Liverpool, Ohio, to Olga A. and the late Francis A. O’Kruta, Sr.Father O’Kruta attended St. Aloysius Elementary School in East Liverpool.Father O’Kruta received his bachelor’s degree from Saint Meinrad College in 1975 and his master’s degree from John Marshall University in 1978. He received his master of divinity degree from Pope John XXIII National Seminary in 1994 and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling, W.Va., on May 21, 1994.Following his ordination, Father O’Kruta served as associate pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Beckley, W.Va., from 1994 to 1996 and St. Paul Parish in Weirton, W.Va., from 1996 to 1997. He served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Proctor, W.Va., and St. Martin of Tours Parish in Cameron, W.Va., from 1997 to 1999 and Sacred Heart Parish in Princeton, W.Va., and St. Peter Mission in Peterstown, W.Va., from 1999 to 2001. He served as temporary administrator of St. Jude Parish in Glen Dale, W.Va., in 2001, and then served as pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Wheeling from 2001 to 2008 and St. Alphonsus Parish in Wheeling from 2008 to 2013.Father O’Kruta was a member of the National Association of College Counselors and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.Surviving is his mother, Olga A. Gogol O’Kruta of Newell, W.Va.; two brothers, Thomas M. O’Kruta and his wife Amy of Steubenville, Ohio; John S. O’Kruta of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; special niece and nephew, Abby and Austin O’Kruta; many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, including Deacon George Smolder, Father Gary Neagele, Sister Jeanne Vidonic, Father Bob Park, Charley Saad, Bill and Sally Bryson.Father O’Kruta will lie in state at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Wheeling on Sunday, November 17, 2013 from 3 to 8 p.m.A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday.The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 18, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, as celebrant.Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.Memorial contributions can be made to St. Alphonsus Parish, Wheeling, or St. Aloysius Elementary School, 335 W 5th St.; East Liverpool, Ohio 43920- 2835.Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.altmeyer.com.Arrangements by Altmeyer Funeral Home, 1400 Eoff Street, Wheeling.