FATHER RICHARD L. BATTOCLETTI, JR., 81, of Martins Ferry, died Monday, March 23, 2009 at Belmont Community Health Center in Bellaire. He was born July 3, 1927 in Bridgeport, the son of the late Richard and Josephine (Zani) Battocletti, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers Edward and Ralph Battocletti. Father Battocletti attended St. Anthony Grade School, Bellaire St. John Central and wheeling Central Catholic high schools. He went on to St. Charles Seminary in Columbus and St. Gregory and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati. He was ordained by Bishop John King Mussio on May 30, 1953. As a young priest, Father Battocletti had assignments at St. Mary Church, Marietta, St. Benedict in Cambridge, St. John in Bellaire, Our Lady of Angels in Barton and St. Joseph in Wolfhurst. In conjunction with these assignments he taught in the Catholic high schools associated with St. Mary's in Marietta, Guernsey Catholic Central in Cambridge and St. John in Bellaire. He was also director of youth in Assumption Deanery as well as chaplain for the former St. John Hospital in Steubenville, the Brothers of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and for the Belmont County Sierra Club. Additional appointments included Our Lady of Mercy Lowell, St. Paul, Flushing and the now closed Immaculate Conception Mission in New Matamoras and the Hannibal Mission Station. In 1973 he was named pastor of St. Michael Church in Bellaire, followed by pastor of St. Adalbert in Dillonvale, St. Gabriel in Minerva, and St. Teresa of Avila in Cadiz. He was also administrator of Christ the King Mission in the Tappan Lake area and St. Mathias Mission in Freeport. Father Battocletti served at comptroller at Catholic Central high School in Steubenville while pastor of the now closed Our Lady of Fatima church in Brilliant, and parochial vicar of St. Mary's in Martins Ferry. He retired in 2000 and remained in residence at St. Mary's in Martins Ferry assisting in the ministry of visiting the sick in hospitals and the homebound. Father Battoclettis body will lie in repose at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Martins Ferry on Wednesday from 2 - 8 pm with Rosary at 3 pm and a Vigil service being held at 6 pm. Visitation will continue on Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Bridgeport starting at 9:00 am. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am with Bishop Daniel Conlon as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery in Blaine, Ohio. Father Battocletti requested that any memorial contributions be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Home, 920 National Rd., Brookside, Ohio.