A funeral Mass for Deacon Roger Kreitler was celebrated Aug. 10 at St Raphael the Archangel Parish in St. Louis. Deacon Kreitler died Aug. 6. He was 77 and had been a deacon for 16 years.

Born on Jan 9, 1940, in Festus, he married Johanna Zagroba on Nov. 7. They were blessed with three children (Jeff, Brian and Keith), along with two grandchildren (Mena and Brenin). He served our country for 6 years in the Missouri Air National Guard.

Deacon Kreitler was ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate June 9, 2001, by then-Archbishop Justin F. Rigali. He was assigned to St. Raphael the Archangel Parish and served that parish until retirement this year.

At St. Raphael, he performed the sacramental functions of a deacon, specifically assisting at Mass, conducting wake services and attending funerals, leading Liturgy of the Word and Communion Services when needed, performing baptisms, conducting benedictions and leading Stations of the Cross. Deacon Kreitler worked extensively in parish based ministries with a focus in supporting senior citizens, especially the homebound, in nursing homes and in grief support programs. In addition, he supported those in need through the St. Vincent DePaul Society.