Rev. Richard Wayne Shoda, J.C.L.

February 22, 1951 - August 9, 2018

02/22/1951 - 08/09/2018

Past Services

Visitation
Sunday August 12, 2018
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home - Wheeling Chapel
1400 Eoff Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 232-0330 | Directions
Visitation
Monday August 13, 2018
9:00 am - 11:00 am
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church
2111 Market Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
304 232-4353 | Directions
Service
Monday August 13, 2018
11:00 am
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church
2111 Market Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
304 232-4353 | Directions

Rev. Richard Wayne Shoda, J.C.L., died at Wheeling Hospital Aug. 9, 2018. He was 67 years old.

Father Shoda was born Feb. 22, 1951, in Bluefield, W.Va., to the late Robert and (Margaret) Ruth (Ball) Shoda. He graduated from Wheeling College in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. He completed his theological studies in 1976 at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he went on to receive his Master of Arts in theology in 1977.

Father Shoda was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling by Bishop Joseph H. Hodges Oct. 13, 1978. He served a number of parishes throughout West Virginia: as associate pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Parkersburg from 1978 to 1979, temporary administrator of St. Patrick Parish in Coalton in 1979, temporary associate pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Beckley in 1979 and 1980 and associate pastor of St. Teresa Parish in Morgantown from 1980 to 1982. He returned to Beckley in 1982 as associate pastor at St. Francis de Sales, where he served until 1984. He was then appointed pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Hinton and its Mission of St. Mary of the Greenbrier in Alderson.

Father Shoda then went to The Catholic University of America in Washington, where he received his licentiate in canon law in 1988. He served as judicial vicar of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston from 1988 to 1998 and pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish in Wheeling from 1988 to 1995. He served as chaplain at Bethany College in Bethany from 1995 to 1998 and at West Liberty State College from 1996 to 1998. He was then appointed pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Ronceverte and its missions of St. Louis, King of France, in Lewisburg and St. Andrew the Apostle in Union from 1998 to 2005. He also served as vicar forane of the Beckley Vicariate from 2002 to 2005 and pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in White Sulphur Springs from 2004 to 2005. In 2006, he served as moderator of the Inter-diocesan Court of Appeals and was in residence at St. Alphonsus Parish in Wheeling. He then moved to the Welty Apartments in Wheeling and provided supply ministry across the entire diocese. In 2014, he served as temporary administrator of St. Alphonsus and of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Moundsville. He retired from active ministry Jan. 31, 2018.

Father Shoda was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert. He is survived by his brothers Randy Shoda and Brian Shoda.

Friends will be received at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, 1400 Eoff Street, Wheeling, WV, Sunday, August 12, 2018, from 4 pm until time of vigil service at 7 pm. Father Shoda will then lie in state at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Wheeling, Monday, August 13, 2018, from 9 am until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am, with Bishop Michael J. Bransfield as celebrant.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ( Click HerePriests’ Health and Retirement Association (PHRA), PO Box 230, Wheeling, WV 26003, or online at www.TMCfunding.com.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com.

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Stanley Btown
5 years ago

Father Rick is and will always be an amazing Saint! As he taught me you can be a saint maybe not a heroic saint but a saint! We love you Father Rick! You are so special! Our Blessed Lord is well pleased with you, this I’m certain of!

Stanley Btown
5 years ago

A true Saint

Stanley Btown
5 years ago

His Eminence Rev. Shoda

Bruce Blank, DPM
5 years ago

I just was informed of Father Shoda’s death yesterday and was very saddened by the news.
I first met Father Rick through treating him in my office. It didn’t take long for me to understand how special of a person he was. We seemed to become friends almost immediately. I always enjoyed his visits and our discussions on a range of topics. I and my office staff will miss him very much.

Father Alfred H. Fish
5 years ago

Dear Father Brian & Randy, Please know that your dear Brother & my Friend & Classmate will be remembered in all my daily prayers. He made the World a more beautiful place. May our Lord & our Blessed Mother keep him in their Hearts.

Jackie & Pat Petros
5 years ago

So very sorry to hear of your loss. He would come visit us at Pat’s Trains.Always enjoyed seeing him at Perkins (I would kneel down & ask for forgiveness). we always joked together, I am truly shocked. He is at peace now. Truly loved him.

Kathy Bee
5 years ago

Our sympathies to Father Rick’s family and friends. Fr. Rick has blessed West Virginia people with his love of the Catholic faith. Thank you Father Rick for sharing many times Jesus with us. You will be truly missed. Rest In Peace

Veda Marie Nash & John Shoda
5 years ago

Brian and Randy, John and I were so sad to hear about Ricky. We just found out; please accept our love and condolences. Times like this really make us think back on our Shoda family, and memories of all our loved ones no longer with us.
Love,
Veda Marie
John

Rosemary Hornak
5 years ago

My condolences to Rick’s family and friends. Rick and I were college classmates and worked together in the library. Rick was always fun to be with, whether working, studying, or just hanging out. His great smile welcomed everyone. He will be missed.

Ray & Regina Smith, St. James
5 years ago

Fr. Brian, we were so sorry to hear about your brother, Father Rick. We pray for the repose of his soul and for you and your family.
God bless,