Richard Anton Kluk

Father Richard Anton Kluk died the morning of Dec. 8, 2021, after a long illness and hospitalization at the Logan Medical Center in Kalispell. He was 68 and served as a priest for 11 years.

Richard Anton Kluk was born Feb. 12, 1953, in Logan, Ill., the son of George and Helen Kluk. He has a brother, Thomas, and a sister, Eva. He attended catholic schools and graduated from Marist High School in Chicago in May of 1971. He received his college education at the University of Arizona, South Suburban College in Illinois and Loyola University of Chicago, from where he received a bachelor’s of science degree in biology in 1975. In June 1977, he completed nuclear medicine technology certification and in 1979 he received a master’s in computer science from DePaul University.

Richard worked for Ingalls Memorial Hospital, Northrop Corp., Telos Corp. and for United Defense Ltd. in California, for Honeywell in Albuquerque, N.M., and for Raytheon in Lompoc, Calif.

His initial discernment for priesthood began in California in 1990. In 2002, he began discernment for the Diocese of Helena. After studies at Mount Angel Seminary, St. Benedict, Ore., Bishop George Leo Thomas ordained him as a deacon for the Diocese of Helena on May 13, 2010 and as priest for the Diocese of Helena at the Cathedral of St. Helena on Dec. 10, 2010.

He served as a deacon at the Anaconda Catholic Community, which also was his initial priest assignment. His other priestly assignments included St. Joseph Parish in Harlowton, St. Bartholomew Parish in White Sulphur Springs, St. William Parish in Shelby with St. Thomas Mission in Sunburst, St. Margaret Parish in Cut Bank and St. Francis Parish in Valier, SS Cyril and Methodius Parish, East Helena and Holy Cross Parish, Townsend. Since July 1, 2017, he has been the administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Libby with Immaculate Conception Mission in Troy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Helen Kluk. Survivors include his brother, Thomas and sister, Eva Kuzmanich.

The Vigil Service will be held at 7 p.m., Dec. 15 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libby. Bishop Austin Vetter will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 1 p.m., Dec. 16 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

He will be buried at the family plat at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Worth, Ill. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.