Deacon Joseph “Jack” Pitts, Jr., a deacon of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, died on October 9, 2026, at the age of 89.

Deacon Pitts was ordained by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk on April 28, 2007 at the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Dayton, Ohio. Upon ordination, he was assigned to serve at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Centerville. In May, 2019, Deacon Jack and his wife, Virginia, moved to Kernersville, NC to live with his son in order to allow them to provide care for them both. Deacon Jack served for a time at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kernersville. He faithfully served the Church both in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and North Carolina for nineteen years.

Deacon Jack was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-three years, Virginia. He is survived by their three children and their spouses, twelve grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

All funeral services for Deacon Jack will take place in his hometown of Charleston, SC. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on November 6, 2026, at Nativity Catholic Church in Charleston.

You may read the full obituary for Deacon Pitts on the funeral home’s website here: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joseph L. Pitts Obituary October 9, 2026 – James A. McAlister Funerals and Cremation

Please keep the repose of the soul of Deacon Joseph “Jack” Pitts in your prayers, as well as peace and comfort for his family.

Deacon Richard “Rich” Hobbs, a deacon of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, died on October 6, 2026, at the age of 61.

Deacon Hobbs was ordained by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr on April 24, 2010 at the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Dayton, Ohio. Upon ordination, he was assigned to serve at St. Mary of the Assumption, Springboro. In June, 2022, St. Mary of the Assumption became part of the St. John Paul II Family of Parishes, and Deacon Rich was assigned to serve in this Family.

In addition to his ministry as deacon at his Family of Parishes, Deacon Rich pursued education in Canon Law. He received his Licentiate in Canon Law from St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. He served as Assessor for the Archdiocesan Tribunal beginning in August, 2019. He was appointed to the office of Judge for the Tribunal by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr in July, 2021. Most recently, he served as Defender of the Bond for the Tribunal.

Deacon Rich is survived by his wife, Julie, their three children Robert, Nicolas, and Elizabeth, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 9579 Yankee Rd, Springboro, OH 45066. Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m.

You may read the full obituary for Deacon Hobbs on the funeral home website here

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/franklin-oh/richard-hobbs-13066007

Please keep the repose of the soul of Deacon Rich Hobbs in your prayers, as well as peace and comfort for his family.