Father John G. Vrana's Obituary
Father John G. Vrana passed away on June 7, 2022 (age 81). Fr. Vrana was born on May 20, 1941 to the late George and Anna (Mazur) Vrana; attended St. Ignatius and SS. Philip & James elementary schools in Cleveland, and St. Charles Borromeo School in Parma. He graduated from Borromeo Seminary High School and College in Wickliffe, and then studied at St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland.
Bishop Clarence Issenmann ordained him to the priesthood for service to the Cleveland Diocese on May 20, 1967 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. His first assignment as parochial vicar was to St. John Nepomucene Parish in Cleveland. He later pursued theology studies at St. Paul College in Canada and the University of Louvain in Belgium. He was appointed delegate for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in 1975, and in 1981, he received an appointment as spiritual director, Saint Mary Seminary, Wickliffe.
Fr. Vrana enjoyed a rich mix of assignments over his 49 years of active service, and he ministered to a wide variety of parishes throughout Cleveland and northeast Ohio. These included: St. John Neumann (Strongsville); Holy Name (Cleveland); St. Ladislas (Westlake); St. Martin of Tours (Maple Heights); St. Gabriel (Concord Township); St. Francis de Sales (Parma); St. Jude (Elyria); and St. Michael (Independence). His service included: presbyteral convener for the Lake/Geauga District 2003-2006, member at-large of Presbyteral Council 2005-2010; and member of the College of Consultors in 2005. He retired on August 30, 2016.
Fr. Vrana is survived by two sisters, Dolores Oleksiak (Edward) and Gloria Wick (Joseph). He is also survived by his good friend, Deb Karpowicz, a host of friends; as well as; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. His kindness, compassion and tender heart will be missed by all who knew him. The wake will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. and viewing 4 – 7 p.m. June 14 in St. Michael Church, 6540 Brecksville Road, Independence. Viewing again at 9:30 a.m. and Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. will occur June 15 in St. Michael Church. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland. Requiescat in pace.
Donations in Fr. Vrana's memory can be made to the Diocese of Cleveland, Priestly Formation c/o Catholic Community Foundation, Cathedral Square Plaza, 1404 East Ninth St., 8th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44114-1722 or online at www.CatholicCommunity.org/PriestlyFormation.
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