Longtime deacon at Omaha Catholic church found dead, son arrested

A 36-year-old Omaha man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of killing his father, a longtime deacon at a local Catholic church.

John Zak, 69, was found dead in his home near 36th and Cass streets late Wednesday following a missing person report. His son, Martin Zak, was booked into the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of homicide, felony flight to avoid arrest and felony theft, police said in a press release.

Few details of the homicide have been released publicly as the city’s Catholic community mourns a longtime leader. John served as deacon of St. Peter Catholic Church for over 25 years.

In a statement, Michael McGovern, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha, said John was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1998.

St. Peter Rev. John Broheimer shared the news of John’s death on the church website, calling his death “a great shock to his family, and to our parish.”

“Through his Ministry he touched countless lives, especially the young people of our parish, whom he served with generosity and sincere faith,” Broheimer wrote. “Please pray especially for Mary, his wife, and for their children and family who bear the greatest burden of this loss.”

According to court documents, John and his wife fostered and adopted multiple children over the past few decades.

In April 2020, the Catholic Voice of Omaha published an article on health care workers that included John, who was a respiratory therapist. The article said that John kept a holy card on a bulletin board in his office with a quote from St. Francis de Sales:

“Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same loving Father who cares for you today, will care for you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”