BLOOMINGTON — A funeral Mass was offered at St. Mary’s Church here on Saturday, June 6, for Deacon Jerry M. Hozie, a permanent deacon ordained in 2002.

Deacon Hozie died on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Normal, following a lengthy illness. He was 72.

Born in Streator on May 3, 1937, to William and Margaret (Klachko) Hozie, Deacon Hozie was a graduate of Streator High School and attended DeVry University in Chicago. He was a technical representative for the Xerox Corporation for 30 years.

He married Charlene Krones on June 30, 1962, in El Paso. She survives, as do their four children: Mark Hozie, Julie Hozie, and Jennifer Wagner, all of Bloomington, and Tom Hozie of Olathe, Kan. Deacon Hozie is also survived by two brothers, Larry Hozie of Fort Worth, Texas, and Gene Hozie of Streator, as well as four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order and was active in Teens Encounter Christ, Cursillo, and the Knights of Columbus.

Following four years of study with the diocese’s seventh class of permanent deacons, he was ordained by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, on May 18, 2002.

At St. Mary’s Parish, he formerly coordinated altar servers and brought Communion to the sick and shut-ins, according to Father Ric Schneider, OFM, pastor. Because of illness, Deacon Hozie was not able to be active as a deacon for the last several years.

“He was a very gentle person, kind, and smiled a lot,” recalled Father Ric.

Burial was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Bloomington.

Memorials may be made to the Community Cancer Center in Normal or St. Anthony’s Outreach at St. Mary’s Parish.