A funeral Mass for Deacon Lawrence R. Nava was celebrated Sept. 21 at St. John the Beloved Disciple Church in Imperial. Deacon Nava died Sept. 9 at the age of 85.
Deacon Nava was born on Sept. 5, 1941, in St Louis. He married Martha “Ann” Nava (nee Mullins) on Feb. 1, 1964. They were blessed with three children, Janet (Larry) Bandera, Lori (Roy) Goebel and Jerry Nava. He was the grandfather of Rebecca (Kane) Anderson and Roy Justin Goebel.
Deacon Nava was ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate on May 10, 2008, by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke. At the time of his ordination, he was assigned to assist the pastor at St. John the Beloved Disciple Parish in Imperial, where he faithfully served until his retirement on Nov. 1, 2019.
In addition to his sacramental and liturgical duties such as assisting at Mass, preaching, celebrating Benedictions, presiding at baptisms and leading Stations of the Cross, he was involved in CYC sports, Boy Scouts, Marriage Encounter, leading Communion services, serving on various parish commissions and councils and working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society in service to those in need.
Deacon Nava proudly served our country as a member of the United States Air Force from 1960-63.
Burial was in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
