Fr. James Becherer

Father James Becherer, 96 of Sheffield Lake, peacefully passed away and was welcomed into the loving arms of our Lord, on Saturday, May 1, 2021. He was born February 2, 1925, in Canton, OH to parents Raymond and Evelyn (nee Burke) Becherer, the fourth of five children. After serving his country in World War II, Fr. Jim entered St. Gregory Seminary in 1946 and continued his studies at St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland. He was ordained a Catholic Priest on December 18, 1954. He spent the next 10 years at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina, St. Martha in Akron, and Immaculate Conception in Akron, before the Diocese sent him to Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He continued his studies in the field of Marriage and Family Life, and interned at The American Institute of Family Relations in Los Angeles, CA. Fr. Jim then returned to the Diocese of Cleveland as the Director of Marriage & Family Counseling. From his marriage counseling experience, he began lecturing extensively beyond the Diocese. The U.S. Military Chief Chaplains sent him, via military chaplaincy, to Asia during the Vietnam War. This resulted in Fr. Jim lecturing for over 30 years at 150 military bases to military personnel and their families in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. For 8 years, he conducted pre-marriage instruction for the Air Force Cadets and their fiancée's. In his lifetime, he visited 96 countries. In 1998 Fr. Jim retired as Diocesan Director of Marriage &Family Life and has since helped in many parishes in the Cleveland area where he touched countless people's lives with his priestly ministry. He loved young people and was Chaplain at St. Edwards High School for 9 years. He is survived by his sister Rita (Len) Green of Butler, PA; and 16 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings Jean, Marilyn, and William. Memorial contributions may be forwarded to the Clergy Medical & Health Fund 1404 East 9th - 8th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44114 (checks made payable to the Diocese of Cleveland) or to the Catholic Charities of Cleveland 7911 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102. A Mass of Christian Burial has been held at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Father Becherer was laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors. www.buschcares.com 440.933.3202