Fr. Jerome David Stluka

The Rev. Jerome David Stluka passed away April 4, 2026 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital, Columbus.  

The son of Emil and Mildred (Haugen) Stluka, and stepson of Virgina Beltrondo Stluka, he was born July 18, 1944, in Columbus.  He was a 1962 graduate of Bishop Watterson High School, Columbus, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, (1966), and Bachelor of Sacred Theology and Licentiate in Sacred Theology degrees from the Gregorian University in Rome (1968 and 1970).   

He was ordained to the priesthood on December 19, 1969, at St. Peter Basilica, Vatican, by the Most Reverend James A. Hickey, the Auxiliary Bishop of Saginaw, for the Diocese of Columbus. 

 Fr. Stluka served as Assistant Pastor at St. Augustine Parish, St. Aloysius Parish and St. Christopher Parish, all in Columbus; and St. Mary Parish in Lancaster.  He served as Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish and later Holy Cross Parish, both in Columbus.  In addition, Fr. Stluka was the Associate Director and then Director of the Diocese of Columbus Family Life Bureau, as well as serving as a Chaplain to the Ohio State University Medical Center, St. Joseph Academy Alumni Association, and Grant Hospital, Columbus.  Fr. Stluka also served as a member of the diocesan Priest Personnel Board and was the Vocations Director for the Diocese. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother and by his brother Eugene (Carol) and by nephews Thomas and Christopher.  He is survived by his sisters Mary Jane Cope (David, deceased) of Santa Cruz, California; Rosalie Stluka of Lima, Ohio and step-sister Mary Cecelia Neviska (Tim) of Fredericktown, Ohio and 14 nephews and nieces, with whom he shared  close relationships. 

Fr. Jerry was an enthusiastic traveler and led numerous pilgrimages over the course of his priesthood.  He also relished traveling with family members and friends. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed both water-skiing and snow-skiing; and liked an occasional game of golf as well. Above all, Fr. Jerry loved spending time with his family and extended family. He was a man of deep faith and was an inspiration to many people, who observed how accepting he was in dealing with his declining health in recent years. 

Viewing will be at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, 4661 Kenny Rd. on Wednesday, April 8 from 5:00- 8:00pm with a Vigil Prayer Service at 7:30pm.  Fr. Stluka’s body will be received at 10 a.m on Thursday, April 9. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 20 East Dominion Boulevard, Columbus where visitation will be until 11:00 am when the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes, Bishop of Columbus.  Committal will follow at  Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Catholic Relief Services  www.crs.org;  Our Lady of Peace Church, 20 E. Dominion Blvd. Columbus 43214;  or Holy Cross Church, 204 S. Fifth St.  Columbus 43215. 

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