A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 8 in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting, for Deacon Alvin C. Miester who died Jan. 2 in St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton. He was 72.

Born in New Orleans, Deacon Miester graduated from Louisiana State University of New Orleans with a degree in general business and accounting. He worked as an insurance agent with Miester Insurance Agency and was a self-employed professional photographer in New Orleans for 40 years.  Deacon Miester was ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese of New Orleans May 23, 1976, by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan.

In 2005, Deacon Miester and his wife, Laura, relocated to the Trenton Diocese following Hurricane Katrina. The Miesters lived in East Windsor before moving to Whiting in 2007. Deacon Miester was a freelance photographer for The Monitor for several years and was incardinated as a deacon for the Diocese of Trenton Nov. 23, 2010, by Bishop John M. Smith.  Deacon Miester was active with the Knights of Columbus where in New Orleans he was a member of the Fourth Degree. Upon his move to Whiting, he  joined Our Lady of the Pines Council, Knights of Columbus, Whiting, where he served as past grand knight and financial secretary.

In addition to his wife, Deacon Miester is survived by two sons, Alvin C. III (Jill), and Carl F. (Aimee Guillory); one brother, Edwin; one aunt, Annabelle Robertson Miester, and five grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Medical Center, 601 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, N.J. 08629.