A funeral Mass for Deacon Norman B. Werner was celebrated Sept. 15 at Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Creve Coeur. Deacon Werner died Sept. 5 at the age of 88.
Born in 1929 in St. Louis, he was married to Mary Francis Werner (nee Poliquin), on Aug. 25, 1951. They had four children, Patricia (Hough), Robert, Jean (Kelvorn) and James; along with 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Deacon Werner served six years in the Army Active Reserves and retired from the former Laclede Gas Company.
Deacon Werner was ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate on June 11, 1994, by then-Archbishop Justin F. Rigali. He was assigned to Our Lady of the Pillar Parish and served there his entire ministry, retiring on Feb. 11, 2007.
Prior to his retirement, 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. In addition, Deacon Werner worked extensively with people in the parish who were homebound, in hospitals or nursing facilities; sacramental and ministry preparation programs; and with the RCIA program. He liturgically supported the Carmelite sisters’ convent.
Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery.