Fr. Michael P. Garvey ~ Pastor (July 1, 2008 - to date)

Father Garvey, a native of Cleveland, was raised and educated in the Catholic school system in Ashtabula, Ohio, attending Mother of Sorrows School and the former St. John High School. In 1963 he entered the seminary at St. Gregory Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio to study for the priesthood. He was ordained at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown on May 29, 1971 after completing seminary studies at Mount St. Mary of the West Seminary in Cincinnati. His assignments in the diocese were associate pastor at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Canton, priest catechist at Ursuline High School in Youngstown, as administrative assistant for pastoral ministry at St. John High School in Ashtabula, and as administrator of Mother of Sorrows Parish in Ashtabula. Father was also the President of the Board of Community Counseling Center there. In 1987 he joined the U S Navy. He served 20 years and his assignments were with the Navy, the Marines, and Coast Guard. His duty included assignments in Cuba, Japan, and Alaska. Father retired in June of 2007 from Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida. In December he was assigned to St. Rose Parish in Girard as the Associate Pastor. He also served as chaplain for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire. His interests include Great Lakes history, physical fitness, and cards.

Deacon Gary Keefer ~ Permanent Deacon (Sept. 13, 2008 - to date)

"I love working at St. Joseph's because of the people. They are so warm, welcoming, cooperative, and loving that it makes my ministry very easy. Since receiving the sacrament of Holy Orders as permanent deacon, I look forward to serving here in any way that the people of this parish need me."

Born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania to Ross and Catherine Keefer, Deacon Keefer grew up in the small rural town of Darlington, Pennsylvania (just across the state line from East Palestine, Ohio). He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1967 and attended Duff's Business Institute in Pittsburgh (1967 & 1968). In the mid-1980's he attended classes at Youngstown University. Gary's employment history is quite diverse starting with working on local farms from about the age of thirteen. His first real career job was with Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania (1968-1988). During that time he had his own personal businesses which consisted of a horse training business, a blacksmith business, a sailboat charter service, and a fishing charter boat. In conjunction with these businesses he had the opportunity to work with and instruct people of all ages. In 1999 he shifted gears both figuratively and literally by becoming an owner-operator long haul truck driver, which is what he currently does along with having an excavating/construction business. He and his wife, Cyndi, love to travel (any kind from going to Vegas or flying to the Caribbean Islands) and the outdoors enjoying sail and power boating, water and snow skiing, and camping. They also enjoy cruise ships and car trips and love taking off with their travel trailer, especially heading to Florida to visit the grandchildren. Gary also loves to hunt and fish. Deacon Gary has been involved with St. Joseph Parish for several years as an RCIA team member, a lector, a Eucharistic minister, choir member, Welcoming Committee, Stewardship Way of Live Committee, Knights of Columbus, as well as various jobs regarding the Ox Roast Fair.

Sr. Joyce Schreiber, SND ~ Pastoral Minister (Oct. 1, 2010 - to date)
Sr. Joyce grew up on Cleveland's West Side, attending church and school along with her seven brothers and sisters at St. Vincent de Paul Parish on Lorain Avenue. Her mother was of proud Polish descent and her father was Jewish (later Catholic). Her choice of high school, St. Stephen, on the near West Side, brought her into contact with the Sisters of Notre Dame and she subsequently "entered the convent" after graduation. Sister trained to be an elementary school teacher, attending Notre Dame College and graduating from St. John College. She taught grades four through eight in various schools in the Dioceses of Cleveland, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Youngstown. Besides teaching and administration, Sr. Joyce has never been too far from continuing her own education, earning MA degrees from the University of Dayton and Virginia Tech and completing studies in theology for certification in Pastoral Ministry. In between she enjoyed summer studies in English, history and administration at Gonzaga University, the University of Nevada, Reno, Elmira College, New York, and Fordham University, New York. Sr. Joyce made the transition from teaching to parish ministry in 2004, serving as Directory of Religious Education at Assumption Church in Geneva, Ohio, before coming to St. Joseph, Mantua, in 2010. Sister greatly enjoys the people of the parish and the community and environs of Mantua. Along with her ministries at St. Joseph, Sr. Joyce enjoys keeping house in Mantua as well as visiting family, friends, and her own Notre Dame community in Chardon.

Mrs. Margaret "Peg" Haney ~ Director of Religious Education (Sept. 1, 2011 - to date)

" I look forward to growing in faith with all of you during the year ahead."

Born in Amherst, Ohio, Margaret W. Haney graduated from Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst. She earned her B.A. from Baldwin-Wallace College and Teacher Certification and M.A. from BGSU. Previously Director of Religious Education at St. Mary & St. Joseph Parish in Newton Falls, Peg joined the staff September 1, 2011. Married to Jack, the couple has five children and currently reside in Newton Falls. She brings with her a life of experiences, as an educator, an active church volunteer and most importantly, a parent. Her hobbies include sewing.

Mr. Bill Davies ~ Music Minister (Mar., 2004 - to date)

"Working at St. Joe's (since March, 2004) has been a great joy for me. I truly feel blessed, like I have the best of both worlds. I am able to work in music, and serve the church. In particular this church. Since coming to St. Joe's I have met so many wonderful people of faith. It truly inspires me to see such a community."

Bill Davies was born in Lorain, Ohio, but moved to Kent when he was five and, except for a few excursions to the Houston, he has lived in North East Ohio his whole life. He attended Kent Roosevelt High School, and upon finishing there, took some time off to decide what to do with himself. After working many odd jobs, he tells us he turned up at Kent State University. There he received a degree in music in 2001. In January, 2004, Bill began a Masters program at Cleveland State. His ultimate goal is teach at the college level as well as continuing work in music ministry. In addition, he teaches private guitar and piano lessons, performs for various weddings and parties, and works with a contemporary Christian band called Gabriel's Harp (Incidentally, the group recorded a track for a CD being sold in France for the World Youth Day celebrations in the summer of 2005). In what little free time Bill has he enjoys playing chess, skiing, swimming, and a good bottle of Pinot Noir.

Ms. Jan Huter ~ Parish Secretary (Nov. 13, 1995 - to date)

[Profile Not Submitted]

Mrs. Kathi Trares ~ Parish Secretary (Sept. 21, 1992 - to date)

"St. Joseph's is a wonderful place to work. The staff, students and parishioners are the best! When I started working here on a 'part-time, temporary basis' in the Fall of 1992, I had no idea I would be as involved as I am now and that I'd be doing things like the weekly bulletin, the parish community website, parishioner database, secretary for the Pastoral Council, and Ox Roast Fair publicity. It's an honor to share my gifts with such a warm and friendly family."

Currently working four days a week in the Parish Office, Kathi grew up in Stow where she graduated from Stow High School completing the Intensive Office Education program. She has worked as a receptionist for H & R Block, Inc. and as a secretary for Stow High School's Athletic Director, Kent's Huntington Bank loan department, Kelly Services, and Lamson & Sessions in Kent. Living in Shalersville Twp. since 1984, she and her husband, George, have three children, Jeff at home, James at Dominican Novitiate, and daughter Wendy (Ralph) Harner who's married and has a son, Gabriel. She serves as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteers for St. Joseph Parish activities and is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts. Kathi also enjoys gardening, hiking, trail building, photography, traveling, and spending time with family.

Mr. Jason Garey ~ Maintenance (1989-to present)

Working at St. Joseph since 1989, Mr. Garey grew up in Lakewood. He was in the Army Military Police for over four years and moved into this area in 1982. His favorite thing about his job is cutting grass however he says, "You will often hear me complain I can't keep up because it grows so fast sometimes in the spring and there is so much of it." His least favorite task is snow removal although the first time in a season seems fun to him for some reason. (Jason believes St. Joseph gets at least double the amount of snow that the rest of this area gets - at least it sure seems that way!). In addition to his maintenance tasks throughout the parish (and formerly St. Joseph School), Mr. Garey works part time for Hiram and Shalersville in the evening and weekends as the Zoning Inspector and a couple of weekends a year for Michigan International Speedway on the Fire Crew. He has a Limited Class A Water Supply Operator Certificate (to help monitor St. Joseph's public water system). Jason has three grown children, Chris, Stacey and Brian, along with two grandchildren, Sarah and Chloe. He also enjoys vacationing, especially Mexico.

Click here to visit St. Joseph's Parish Staff History page.

Click here to view St. Joseph School's Faculty & Staff Page (2009-2010 farewell).

Click here to discover St. Joseph School's Faculty & Staff History.

Click here to learn about the Women Religious who served St. Joseph's.

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