Sister of the Living Word Jeannine Randolph, 85, died Aug. 8.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in 1957 and professed final vows in 1966. In 1975, she transferred to the Sisters of the Living Word, who were forming a new community.

During her first years of ministry, she taught in Riverdale, Morton Grove and Chicago, as well as in Iowa and Minnesota. She later ministered as pastoral minister in Louisiana and Illinois.

She served as director of novices for the Sisters of the Living Word and ministered as a massage therapist for her last 18 years of ministry.

In retirement, she lived at Resurrection Village Life Center, Addolorata Villa, Amazing Grace and finally at Resurrection Life Center.

Deacon Joseph P. Casey, 77, died July 30. He was ordained in 2013 and served at St. Patrick Church, now part of St. Brigid Parish, in Wadsworth.

In addition to his parish ministry, the Lindenhurst resident served as a hospice chaplain for more than 10 years.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna, sons Sean and Tim Casey and four grandchildren.

Benedictine Sister Sr. Mary (Mary Gerald) Melady, 79, died April 17 at St. Joseph Court, the infirmary of St. Scholastica Monastery.

Born in Evanston, she St. Ignatius School and St. Scholastica High School before entering the Benedictine community in 1963.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Mundelein College and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University Chicago, as well as credentials for teaching English as a Second Language from Northeastern University.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. George, Queen of All Saints, St. Joseph (Orleans Street) and St. Scholastica Academy.

She then studied at and worked at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Hyde Park, eventually becoming its co-director and earning a doctorate in ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation.

She began directing her community’s initial formation program in 1999 and returned to to teaching ESL, first part-time at Oakton Community College, and then full-time at Taft High School. She maintained that ministry after retiring from teaching. She also volunteered in various capacities at Holy Spirit Life Learning Center.

She was appointed subprioress in 2015 and continued in that role until the summer of 2023.

She is survived by her brother, Patrick.

Adrian Dominican Sister Shirley Ann (Blanche Marie) Cushing, 97, died July 18 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 78th year of her religious life. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College, Adrian; a master’s degree in English from DePaul University; and a master’s degree in religious education degree and a law degree from the University of Detroit (now University of Detroit Mercy).

Sister Shirley ministered in education, as a community leader, in religious education and as an attorney in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio; and Tokyo, Japan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1947-1951) and St. Edmund, Oak Park (1951-1957).

Providence Sister Brigid Ann (Margaret Rose) Bonner, 85, died July 23, in Indiana.

Born in Whiting, Indiana, Sister Brigid Ann entered the the Sisters of Providence in 1958 and professed final vows in 1965.

Of her 67 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education and social work in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mark School.

Divine Word Father Gary Riebe-Estrella, 79, died June 2 in Techny. He was Catholic Theological Union’s first Latino vice president and academic dean.

Born in Los Angeles, he entered Divine Word Seminary in Riverside, California, in 1959. He professed vows in 1968 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971.

In Chicago, he studied at DePaul University and Catholic Theological Union. He received his master’s degree in theology from DePaul.

He served in pastoral ministry and leadership roles in the society’s Western Province before earning a doctorate in practical theology from Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain, in 1992. The following year, he returned to the Chicago Province to serve as a professor at CTU.

In 1996, he became one of the first Latinos in the United States to hold a major leadership position in a premiere theological school. He served as the vice president and academic dean of CTU for 12 years and is credited with cultivating a racially, ethnically and culturally diverse faculty.

A longtime member of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States, he served as president of the organization from 1996 to 1997 and again from 2009 to 2010.

Father Riebe-Estrella’s pastoral work with Hispanic communities and decades of scholarship and leadership in theological education led to opportunities throughout his ministry to work with religious orders, organizations and higher education as a consultant in areas of diversity, formation and theological education.

He founded and served as director of the formation house Casa Guadalupe in East Los Angeles and was appointed by the generalate to positions in the PANAM Zone, which encompasses North and South America.

In 2014, he was transferred back to the Western Province.

Father Riebe-Estrella returned to live in Techny in 2025.

Divine Word Father William Seifert, 85, died June 21 in Techny. He was an anthropologist and missionary in Papua New Guinea for more than 30 years.

Born in Pittsburgh, he entered the Society of the Divine Word in 1957, professed vows in 1962 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1967.

Father Seifert earned a doctorate in anthropology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., before being assigned to the Anthropos Institute, headquartered near Bonn, Germany, and sent to Papua New Guinea as one of the Melanesian Pastoral Institute’s first staff members.

Father Seifert specialized in urbanization and urban pastoral practice. For eight years, he contributed to the institute through his writings, research, courses and workshops. He then founded a parish in Goroko, Papua New Guinea, managed the Goroka Diocese’s finance office and the conference and pastoral center, served as liaison with the Papua New Guinea immigration and labor departments for entry permits and represented the diocese in dealings with the Papua New Guinea Lands Department.

He then served as vicar general, diocesan administrator and episcopal vicar.

He also served as director of the Overseas Training Program (also known as Cross-Cultural Training Program) for seminarians from other countries for 15 years and as a hospital and prison chaplain.

Father Seifert had been living in the Divine Word Residence in Techny since 2006. In semi-retirement, he served as assistant novice director from 2009 to 2018.

He is survived by his brother, Daniel Seifert.

Sister of St. Joseph Grace Sbrissa, 86, died June 23.

In religious life for 68 years, Sister Grace taught math in many schools and was a dominant presence at Nazareth Academy. She also served the congregation as an administrator and treasurer.

She is survived by her sisters Sister of St. Joseph Joellen Sbrissa, Toni Gillette and Sandi Szymborski.

Providence Sister Joan (Joan Patrice) Kirkpatrick, 92, died July 9 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Colorado, Sister Joan entered the Sisters of Providence in 1956 and professed final vows in 1964. In her 69 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for 18 years in Indiana, Illinois and California. In 1974, she was asked to come to the Motherhouse to serve as treasurer of the Sacred Heart Province and manage the motherhouse operations.  After eight years in this ministry, she returned to California where she continued serving in a business capacity at several institutions.   

Having earned a master’s degree in counseling, she did a five-year psychotherapist internship in California and then returned to Indiana, where she served as a counselor.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught mathematics at Providence High School.

She is survived by a sister, Lynn Poole, and brother, Rob Kirkpatrick.

Father John Walter Roller, 91, died June 28. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and pastor emeritus of St. Thomas Becket Parish in Mount Prospect.

Born in Chicago, he attended Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1960.

After ordination, he was assistant pastor of Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein; St. Luke, River Forest; St. Ann, Lansing; and St. Benedict (Irving Park Road). He was associate pastor of St. Athanasius, Evanston, and St. Theresa, Palatine.

Father Roller went on to become pastor and then pastor emeritus of St. Thomas Becket Parish in Mount Prospect. He served as a retired resident at St. Thomas Becket and St. Emily in Mount Prospect. Roller celebrated his 65th anniversary and completed his final Mass on May 3.

Father Michael Grzesik, an archdiocesan priest and friend of Father Roller, said he remembers the love and respect he received from the communities he served, and he remembers Father Roller’s boisterous and authoritative voice.

“When he spoke, people listened,” Grzesik said. “When he gave homilies, he told great stories and he engaged the people and really brought them closer to Christ.”

Viatorian Father Arnold E. Perham, 95, died June 21 at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights.

Born in Chicago,  Father Perham grew up in St. Viator Parish and graduated from St. Mel High School.  He pronounced his first vows in 1948 and was ordained in 1956. 

Father Perham earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Loyola University Chicago; a master’s degree in mathematics from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; and a master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

After teaching in Springfield, he taught at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1962-1968). He then taught at Loyola University Chicago (1968-1973) while serving as director of scholastics. He returned to St. Viator High School in 1973 and taught there until 2010. From 2011 to 2019,  he volunteered in the Math Lab at the school, and from 2020 to 2025 he volunteered remotely by sending practice tests and study guides to members of the Math Club at St. Viator High School.

He is survived by his sister, Faustine Perham.

Augustinian Father Richard Allen Young, 61, was born in Oak Lawn.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Quincy College, a master of divinity degree from St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver, and a doctorate in ministry from Catholic Theological Union.

Father Young was received into the Franciscan novitiate in 1989, professed simple vows the following year and professed solemn vows in 1993 before being ordained a priest in 1995. He served as a Franciscan in Roswell, New Mexico.

He was separated from the Franciscans in 2002 and began the process for incardination into the Archdiocese of Chicago. As a priest with the Archdiocese of Chicago, he served as associate pastor of St. Ita Parish (2005-2009).

He was admitted to Augustinian initial formation in 2009. He began his Augustinian novitiate in 2010, professing temporary vows in 2011 and solemn vows in 2014.

During his time in the Augustinian pre-novitiate, he taught at St. Rita of Cascia High School and continued teaching as an adjunct faculty member in the religious studies department of DePaul University (2001-2009).

He was assigned to St. Rita of Cascia High School Monastery from 2011 to 2013, teaching, serving St. Rita’s campus ministry and serving as director of Augustinian mission at the school.

In 2013, Father Young moved to Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, where he was a member of the faculty and campus ministry. He served as administrator of St. Rita Parish in Racine, Wisconsin (2015-2016), and then returned to Providence Catholic, eventually becoming theology department chair.

He also assisted at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Orland Park (2016-2025), served as the Midwest Augustinian province liturgical director from January 2013 through June 2022 and served as province director of Augustinian mission and ministry from July 2018 through June 2024.

He is survived by his father, Richard Young, and his brother, Steven Young.

Archbishop John Vlazny, 88, died May 23 in Beaverton, Oregon.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Gall School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1961. He also studied at the North American College and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, earning a baccalaureate in sacred theology in 1960 and a licentiate of sacred theology in 1962.

He served as associate pastor of St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge; St. Clement; and St. Aloysius, where he was also pastor.

He was also on the faculty and dean of students at Quigley North, and earned master’s degrees in classics from the University of Michigan and school administration from Loyola University Chicago. In 1981, he was appointed rector of Niles College Seminary.

In 1983, Archbishop Vlazny was named an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago and served as episcopal vicar of Vicariate I. Four years later, he was named bishop of Winona, Minnesota.

In 1997, he was named archbishop of Portland, Oregon, where he succeeded Cardinal Francis George. He served as archbishop of Portland until his retirement in 2013.

Father Harold B. Murphy, 88, died May 13. He was pastor emeritus of the former St. Timothy Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Murphy attended St. George High School in Evanston, Loyola University Chicago and Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, and he earned a master’s degree in English at Northwestern University.

He was ordained in 1968, and he served as assistant pastor of St. Catherine of Siena, Oak Park; St. James, Arlington Heights; and St. Monica. He became pastor of St. Timothy in 1986 and served there for 20 years. He also taught part-time at Loyola University and other institutions.

Deacon Dennis Renk, 83, died May 4 in Florida. He was ordained in 1976.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Augustine School and Quigley Preparatory Seminary. He entered a Franciscan community before leaving to marry and have a family.

He worked as a hospital chef and food distributor on the South Side of Chicago before he retired.

He was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Beach, 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Deacon Michael McNulty, 93, died May 6. He was ordained in 1979 and ministered at Divine Mercy Parish, formerly Sacred Heart Parish, Winnetka.

A lifelong parishioner at Divine Mercy, Deacon McNulty knew every pastor of Sacred Heart and then Divine Mercy Parish. After being ordained a deacon, he sold the family business, McNulty Paper Company, to devote himself to ministry.

He celebrated baptisms and funeral services and witnessed weddings, managed parish finances, spearheaded outreach efforts, instructed future deacons and was a field advocate for the Archdiocese of Chicago Marriage Tribunal.

He was predeceased by his wife of 34 years, Mimi. He is survived by his children Maureen Valvassori, Michael McNulty and Patrick McNulty; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Providence Sister Theresa Clare Carr, 93, died on May 5 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1957. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree from Indiana University.

Of her 75 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as teacher for 50 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois and California, then served as a catechist, substitute teacher and volunteer.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Mercy (1957-1962).

Sister Theresa Clare is survived by her brothers, Edward Carr, Cornelius (Bud) Carr and Michael Carr; and her sister, Catherine Warren.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Therese (Loran) O’Malley, 98, died May 7 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1951. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; a master’s degree from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.; and a doctorate from Columbia University, New York, all in mathematics.

Her ministry was dedicated to teaching. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, where she also was director of institutional research and a volunteer at the McGreal Center. She also taught elsewhere in Illinois, and in Connecticut, Wisconsin and Rhode Island.

Father Robert L. Tuzik, 77, died April 19. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former associate pastor of St. Colette Parish in Rolling Meadows, now part of St. Clare of Assisi Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Tuzik attended St. Tarcissus School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1973. In addition to his master of divinity, he earned a licentiate in sacred theology from Mundelein Seminary and a doctorate in liturgy from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

Father Tuzik served as assistant pastor of St. Mary Parish, Lake Forest, and as associate pastor of St. Linus, Oak Lawn; St. Zachary, Des Plaines; St. Joseph, Libertyville; and St. Colette. Father Tuzik was also pastor of St. Emily, Mount Prospect.

He served as adjunct faculty at Mundelein Seminary, teaching liturgy to seminarians and deacon candidates, and as a consultant to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Office for Divine Worship. He served also as a special consultant to the late Cardinal Francis George.

Deacon Richard Warfield, 83, died April 17. He was ordained in 1979 and served in a variety of ministries.

Deacon Warfield was a U.S. Army veteran and retired Chicago police officer. He served as a deacon with the Chicago Police chaplaincy unit, at the Ford City Catholic Center and in pastoral care at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lou; his son, Richard; three grandchildren; and his brother, Charles.