Father John (Jack) M. Thinnes, 84, died Sept. 10. He was pastor emeritus of Holy Cross Parish, Deerfield.

Born in Evanston, Father Thinnes attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1964.

He was assistant pastor of Sts. Faith, Hope & Charity, Winnetka, and St. Francis Xavier, La Grange. He was associate pastor of St. Mary, Des Plaines; St. Gilbert, Grayslake; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenview. He was pastor of Holy Cross before he retired in 2008.

“I will sorely miss Father Jack’s friendship, sense of humor, intellect and his voice of reason,” said Father John M. Ryan, retired archdiocesan priest and one of Father Thinnes’ classmates. “He loved the church and he looked upon his priesthood as a special blessing from God. He loved his people and was faithful to them for 58 years.”

Deacon Aloysius Memmel, 93, died Sept. 18. He was ordained in 1977 and served at St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge.

Deacon Memmel was a Korean War veteran and past Commander of Mel Tierney VFW Post 247. He was a fourth-degree member of the Maria Council Knights of Columbus and a longtime Scout leader of Troop 24 in Park Ridge and recipient of the Silver Beaver, St. George and the Bronze Pelican awards. He was also a proud member of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Catholic Committee of Scouting.

He is survived by his wife, Bette; his children Terence and Kevin Memmel and Kathleen  Azzi; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Deacon Paul D. Schmidt, 79, died Sept. 21. He was ordained in 2001 and served at St. James, Arlington Heights while working as business manager at Holy Cross Parish, Deerfield.

Deacon Schmidt was born in Detroit and grew up in Michigan. He came to Arlington Heights in 1980 after a job transfer.

He served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including active duty in the Vietnam War. He died after years of intermittent illness, originating with his contact with Agent Orange.

He became a deacon after retiring from his corporate career and started a second career as a parish business manager at Holy Cross, where he served until June.

He is survived by his wife, Paulette, his children Jennifer and David Schmidt, and three grandchildren.

Sister of St. Joseph Sister Sharon Jakicic, 91, died Sept. 1.

Sister Sharon had been a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph for 67 years.

She taught at St. Hugh, Lyons; Our Lady of Bethlehem, La Grange Park; Divine Infant, Westchester; St. Anthony; and St. John Fisher. She was principal of St. Mary, Riverside; and St. Anthony; and she served as the gift shop manager for the Sisters of St. Joseph before retiring.

She is survived by siblings Therese Virbickis and William Jakicic.

Adrian Dominican Sister Shirley (Joyce Edward) Thielk, 93, died Sept. 11 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 74th year of her religious life.

Sister Shirley ministered in education and administrative work in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and California and Malawi.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Clare of Montefalco (1949-1958).

She is survived by seven siblings: Kathryn Warras, John Thielk, Adrian Dominican Sister Dorothy Thielk, Edward Thielk, Margaret Zukowski, Rose Marie Popowitz and Donald Thielk.

Deacon Phillip A. DuBrownik, 76, died Aug. 23. He was ordained in 1998 and served at St. Emeric Parish, Country Club Hills.

Born in Chicago, he attended Bowen High School and Southern Illinois University.

Family members said he found his true calling as a deacon, and he considered the parish his extended family. Parishioners recalled him working with the SPRED group, making sausage and cooking at pig roasts and teaching others how to braid palms.

He had two sisters, Judith Baker and Ruth Koteles.

Adrian Dominican Sister Julie (Ann Warren) Hyer, 74, died July 27 in Capitola, California.

Born in New York, she was in the 54th year of her religious life.

Sister Julie spent one year ministering in education before ministering in health care administration in Michigan and California. She also was general councilor/administrator on the General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was on the board investment committee (2019-2021) and a Cistercian Monastery volunteer (2021-2022) at Common Spirit Health.

She is survived by two brothers, Warren Hyer Jr. and Gregory Hyer, and a sister, Marianne Hyer.

Sister of St. Casimir Wanda Marie Kamza, 86, died Aug. 1.

Born in Gary, Indiana, Sister Wanda Marie entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1952, professed first vows in 1955 and professed final vows in 1960. She spent most of her 66 years in education.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. George (32nd Place, 1955-1960), Immaculate Conception (44th Street, 1963-1964), St. Joseph (South Chicago, 1965-1967), St. Norbert, Northbrook (1964-1965, 1985-2000), and St. Bartholomew (Waukegan, 1970-1971). Additionally, she served in schools in Rockford and in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan.  She also served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village, Lemont (2015-2022).

Adrian Dominican Sister Jane (Jean Ellen) Quirk, 95, died Aug. 8 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Harvey, she was in the 76th year of her religious life.

Sister Jane ministered for more than 53 years in elementary and special education in Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Tennessee and Illinois. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2006.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught elementary school students with learning disabilities at the Bartlett Learning Center (1977-2000).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Vivian (Priscilla) Gorman, 98, died Aug. 15 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Minnesota, Sister Vivian made her first religious profession in 1947 and her perpetual profession in 1950.

She was a teacher, principal, assistant principal, adult education director, teacher’s aide and religious education coordinator, as well as a pastoral and development staff member. She served in Wyoming, Illinois, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Alabama and California.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Vivian taught at St. Richard (1947-1949) and served as principal of St. Patrick, Lemont (1956-1962), and St. Philip the Apostle, Northfield (1965-1969). She also ministered as religious education coordinator at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1980-1986).

She is survived by a sister, Cecilia Becker.

Father James McCarthy, 92, died Aug, 5. He founded and was a long-time director of Special Religious Development (SPRED), an agency of the Archdiocese of Chicago that provides ministry to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Born in Chicago, Father McCarthy attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and Loyola University Chicago. He was ordained in 1955.

He was assistant pastor of Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein; St. Gregory the Great Parish; St. Cecilia Parish (Wells Street); and Our Lady of Mercy Parish; and as pastor of St. John Nepomucene. He retired in 2007, but continued working with SPRED. 

In 1960, Father McCarthy became associate director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) in Chicago and discovered that parents had been inquiring about providing ministry to children with disabilities. They wanted their children to receive the sacraments, but no faith formation program existed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Father McCarthy began working with parents, special educators and catechists in several parishes to make Catholic liturgies and catechesis more accessible to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Society of Helpers Sister Mary Therese Harrington soon began assisting in this work, and they were later joined by Providence Sister Susanne Gallagher.

In 1966, SPRED was established as an agency of the archdiocese. Today, 114 parishes with SPRED groups provide ministry to about 800 people with disabilities. The SPRED network has expanded beyond Chicago, administering faith formation and sacramental preparation programs for people with special needs in 28 Catholic dioceses and 200 parishes nationwide, and in numerous parishes in England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, South Africa, Malta, Chile and Mexico.

He was still serving as the SPRED’s chaplain and director emeritus up until the day he died, SPRED director Joseph Quane said.

“His younger brother had intellectual disabilities, so he knew about the need and took the mission very personally,” Quane said. “He made it his mission to bring the Gospel message to some of the most poor and marginalized members of our society. He wanted people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to feel a sense of belonging in their local parish communities and wanted them to actively participate in the liturgical life of their parish. One of the greatest gifts he leaves to the SPRED community is the adult catechist formation component of SPRED. Father Jim was a strong proponent of life-long catechesis and insisted that a strong community of adult catechists, who participated in ongoing spiritual formation, was required if we are to effectively minister to our friends with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

In 2013, Father McCarthy, Harrington and Gallagher received the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame for their outstanding service to the Roman Catholic Church — the highest honor bestowed by the university.

“He was a very humble person, and he didn’t like all the honors they received,” Quane added. “He faced a lot of challenges when he started SPRED in the 1960s, because back then a lot of people didn’t think people with intellectual and developmental disabilities needed faith formation or spiritual nourishment.”

Adrian Dominican Sister Margaret (Julia Marie) Lane, 92, died July 27 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 74th year of her religious life.

Sister Margaret spent ministered education, formation, nursing and pastoral work in Michigan; Illinois; Florida; Washington, D.C.; Nicaragua; the Dominican Republic; Mexico; and Puerto Rico. She also volunteered for the New Orleans Project.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1949-1951) and St. James, Maywood (1951-1952).

She is survived by a sister, Peggy McLeod.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Susan Hahn, 98, died Aug. 4 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first religious profession in 1944 and her perpetual profession in 1947. She taught first grade for 51 years and continued to tutor reading students for 13 more years. She served in New York, Illinois, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Susan taught at Immaculate Conception, Waukegan (1945-1952); Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1954-1957); and St. Vincent Ferrer, River Forest (1968-1995), where she also was a reading tutor (1995-2008).

According to her congregation, people at St. Vincent Ferrer would boast that Sister Susan had educated three straight generations of their family.

She is survived by her brother, Donald Hahn.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Eldena (Marie Evan) Scholl, 97, died Aug. 5 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Iowa, Sister Eldena entered the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation in 1942, left the congregation in 1968, and returned in 1982, making her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa in 1982, and her perpetual profession in 1985.

She was a teacher, support staff member and sacristan who served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Eldena taught at Visitation (1944-1952), Epiphany (1963-1964)  and St. Giles, Oak Park (1986-1987).

Father William E. Malloy, 74, died July 19, He was the former pastor of St. Barnabas Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Malloy attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1973.

He was assistant pastor of St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park, and associate pastor of St. Norbert, Northbrook, and Incarnation, Palos Heights. He was pastor of St. Maurice; St. Germaine, Oak Lawn; and St. Barnabas, where he served 10 years before retiring in 2017. He continued to live at the parish after retiring.

Father Malloy was also a faculty member at Quigley Preparatory Seminary from September 1977 to August 1978.

Father James J. Donovan, pastor of St. Barnabas, remembered “Fr. Bill” as a well-prepared preacher, known for his kindness and gentle spirit.

“He always had time for his parishioners from all his parishes,” Donovan said. “His quiet and sincere manner endeared him to many over nearly 50 years. Please keep his 101-year-old father, his sisters and their families and the St. Barnabas community in your prayers.”

Deacon Dean Hermann, 78, of Plainwell, Michigan, died July 19. He was ordained in 1978 and served in five dioceses. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he served as director of the English-language diaconate formation program for several years in the 1990s and early 2000s.

He was born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school. He served for more than 30 years and retired with the rank of commander.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki; his sons Tony and Matt; four grandchildren; and his siblings Bill, Ursula, Greg, Chris and Jim.

Adrian Dominican Sister Rina (Jeanne Dominic) Cappellazzo, 91, died July 14 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 71st year of her religious life.

Sister Rina ministered in education, as a campus minister, as a director of staff development, director of pastoral formation and religious vicar in Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, Arizona and California; and in Leuven, Belgium.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Kevin (1951-1952) and St. Philip Neri (1953-1955).

Msgr. R. George Sarauskas, 77, died June 25. He was the former pastor of St. Mary, Riverside.

Msgr. Sarauskas was born in Germany and moved to the Chicago area with his family. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein before being ordained in 1973. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

He was assistant pastor of St. Athanasius, Evanston, and associate pastor of Sacred Heart, Winnetka; St. Francis Xavier, La Grange; and Holy Ghost, South Holland. In the late 1980s, Msgr. Sarauskas was appointed director of research and planning, and from 1984 to 1990 he was also director of the Lithuanian apostolate. In 2004, he became pastor of St. Mary, Riverside, serving the community for seven years.

In addition, he served as executive director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office to Aid the Catholic Church in Eastern, Central Europe and Soviet Union for 14 years in Washington, D.C.

Msgr. Patrick Pollard, retired archdiocesan priest, remembered his friend as a great churchman who believed in the mission of the church. “He wanted it to be alive and present to people all over the world,” Pollard said. “He helped the bishops of dioceses in Eastern Europe start up their dioceses after the fall of communism.” 

Adrian Dominican Sister Anita (Jean Vincent) Chiappetta, 79, died May 28 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Aquinas High School. She was in the 61st year of her religious life.

Sister Anita was an educator, social work assistant, administrative assistant, executive secretary and business office manager in Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was an administrative assistant in the Dominican Midwest Chapter Office in La Grange Park (2009-2015) and Chicago (2015-2021).

Adrian Dominican Sister Laura (Mary Norman) Pesick, 93, died June 9 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in the 75th year of her religious life.

Sister Laura ministered in elementary, secondary and adult education in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and California.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Clare of Montefalco (1948-1952) and St. Carthage (1952-1958).

She is survived by her brother, Joseph Pesick.

Adrian Dominican Sister Grace (Mary Elizabeth) Dougherty, 84, died June 10 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Aquinas High School, and she was the 65th year of her religious life.

Sister Grace ministered over 14 years in Michigan, Alabama and Florida; was a counselor/pastoral minister in Florida; and served a six-year term in congregational leadership as co-provincial of St. Rose of Lima Province, based in West Palm Beach, Florida. She also served the congregation for six years as director of pastoral care.

Sister Grace ministered for more than 18 years (1990-2008) at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, where she served as hospital chaplain and director of spiritual care. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017.

She is survived by her brothers Patrick Dougherty and Robert Dougherty.

Redemptorist Brother Marvin Hamann, 92, died June 24 in Liguori, Missouri.

Born in Detroit, Brother Marvin enlisted in the Army after high school and served as an infantryman in the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he began a career in banking.

A decade later, he felt called to religious life and made his first profession of vows as a Redemptorist brother in 1963. After serving in Wisconsin and as a clerk in the Liguori Publications post office in Missouri, he professed final vows in 1967 and was appointed postmaster.

In 1970, he joined the provincial administration staff in Chicago, and a year later joined the staff at Villa Redeemer in Glenview.

He worked on the financial staffs of Redemptorist institutions in Wisconsin, Colorado and Missouri until his retirement in 2007.

Divine Word Father James Henry, 90, died July 3 in Techny. He was a teacher in Los Angeles and missionary in Papua New Guinea.

Born in New York, Father Henry entered the Divine Word Seminary in Girard, Pennsylvania, in 1945, professed vows in 1951 and was ordained a priest in 1959.

He taught high school students in Southern California — first at Divine Word Seminary in Riverside and then as a member of the inaugural staff of Verbum Dei High School in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles — before being assigned to Papua New Guinea in 1972. Twelve years later, he returned to California, where he served as a Navy chaplain and taught high school English.

He retired in 2013 and moved to Techny in 2015.

He is survived by his brothers Martin and Michael Henry and 25 nieces and nephews.

Sister of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis Stephanie Ostrowski, 85, of Bartlett, died July 4.

Born in Chicago, she was a member of her religious community for 67 years. Sister Stephanie was an elementary school teacher, and she was principal at Queen of the Universe. She also served as provincial director of the Sisters of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis and assistant manager and program director at Senate Apartments for senior living.

She is survived by her siblings, Leonard Ostrowski, Theresa Cernak, Richard Ostrowski, Rita Roberts, Mary Frances Cleveland and Norbert Ostrowski.

Father Richard E. Bulwith, 80, died June 14. He was the former associate pastor of St. Hilary Parish and associate director of Catholic Charities.

Born in Melrose Park, Father Bulwith attended St. Lawrence Seminary, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1967.

He also earned master’s degrees in health science at Governor’s State University and in spirituality at Loyola University Chicago.

He served as associate pastor of St. Emeric, Country Club Hills; St. Michael, Orland Park;  Immaculate Conception (North Park Avenue); St. Nicholas, Evanston; and St. Hilary. He was pastor of St. George (Lituanica Avenue). From 1987 to 2017, Father Bulwith served as associate director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Father James Heneghan, a friend of Bulwith and associate pastor at Our Lady of the Rosary, was grateful for the work that Bulwith did with Catholic Charities. “He was touched to see the healing and growth in the community he served at Catholic Charities,” Heneghan said. “And this energized and empowered his priesthood beyond a parochial setting.”

Father Daniel M. Tomich, 71, died June 25. He was the former pastor of Queen of Apostles Parish, Riverdale.

Born in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1976.

He was associate pastor of St. Patricia, Hickory Hills; St. Victor, Calumet City; and St. Monica. Later, he was pastor of Queen of Apostles, Riverdale, for more than 10 years, and then associate pastor of St. Alexander, Palos Heights, St. Louis de Montfort, Oak Lawn; and St. John Fisher.

“His friendship has been a gift,” said Father Dennis Zalecki, pastor emeritus of St. Anastasia Parish in Waukegan. He met Father Tomich during seminary at Quigley South and he recalled that they were bound together by their mutual sense of humor.

Deacon Thomas F. Dehler, 84, of O’Fallon, Missouri, died June 13.

Born in Chicago, he was ordained in 1988 and served at St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish in Matteson before moving to Missouri.

He was predeceased by his wife, Janet Birnett Dehler. He is survived by his second wife, Priscilla, and his children Thomas Dehler Jr., Alicia Dehler and Beth Del Rosario; stepchildren Tracy Webb-Wiley, Robert Webb, Mark Webb and Gary Webb; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Barbara Baker.

Deacon Jose Colon-Ortiz, 89, died June 15. He was ordained in 1972 and served at Holy Rosary, Resurrection, St. Aloysius and St. Mark parishes.

His wife, Emma, predeceased him. He is survived by his children Jose Colon, Mayra Colon, Elsie Colon and Lisandra Toro; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and his siblings, Antonia Maria Colon, Margarita Colon, Francisco Colon, Miguel Colon.

Deacon Dexter Gary Watson, 70, died June 18.

He was ordained in 1990 and served at St. Malachy and Precious Blood Parish, now part of Blessed Maria Gabriella Parish.

Born in Chicago, he was a U.S. Army veteran and former 27th Ward alderman.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Robin Watson; children Dexter II, Amber and Ryan Watson; his mother, Gloria Watson; and his sister, Sharone Watson.

Divine Word Father Paul Nadolny, 68, died June 12 in Techny after fighting cancer.

Born in Wisconsin, he graduated from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a bachelor’s degree in forestry and worked in the field before joining the Peace Corps and serving in Guatemala. When his commitment with the Peace Corps ended in 1983, he entered the Divine Word Associates Program and professed vows in 1984.

As a seminarian, he studied at Catholic Theological Union and volunteered at St. Procopius parish in the city’s Pilsen neighborhood before being ordained to the priesthood in 1989.

Father Nadolny’s first assignment as a priest was in Chiapas, Mexico, where he served indigenous people. While in the United States to foster a partnership with a Wisconsin parish in 1995, Father Nadolny learned that the Mexican government refused to renew his visa.

 After a year of hoping to return to Mexico, Father Nadolny’s superiors encouraged him to learn Portuguese in Brazil in preparation for his next assignment, a new mission to Mozambique. In 1999, Father Nadolny became one of the first Divine Word Missionaries to serve in the southeastern African nation, where he worked among the Zulu, Makua and Bantu peoples.

In 2019, Father Nadolny moved back to Techny for cancer treatment.

He is survived by his brothers James, Joseph, David and Stephan Nadolny; and his sisters Ann Luckey and Mary Garrity.

BVM Sister Vivian C. (Lauren) Wilson, 94, died June 21 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Wyoming, she entered the BVM congregation in 1948 and professed final vows in 1955.

She taught elementary school in Iowa and South Dakota and at St. Callistus. She also served as an admissions counselor and assistant director of the Business Administration Institute at Mundelein College and director of religious education at St. Keiran, Chicago Heights.

Servant of the Holy Heart of Mary Sister Bernadette (Awilda) Pabon, 76, died June 22.

Sister Bernadette was born in Puerto Rico and, after her mother died, lived in several foster homes. As a teen, she attended Holy Family Academy in Beaverville, Illinois, where she met the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary and began to consider religious life.

However, she married Nobel Pabon and raised a family. For more than three decades, Bernadette served as a catechist and trainer in the Archdiocese of Chicago. She was director of religious education at Holy Rosary Parish for 33 years.

After her husband died and her sons were grown, she pursued the call to religious life. Sister Bernadette made her vows in September 2020 and ministered in Batavia, Hopkins Park, Champaign and Kankakee.

She is survived by her sons, Frank, Rey, Joseph (Cynthia) and Robert (Alejandra), her daughter-in-law, Toni Pabon; 10 grandchildren; her brothers Alfred and Jose Oquendo; her sister Hedda Vazquez; and her adopted family the Suprenants.

Deacon Paul Telle, 86, of Park City, died May 29. He was ordained in 1990 and ministered at St. Dismas and Holy Family parishes in Waukegan. He also worked as a chaplain at Vista Medical System/Victory Memorial Hospital.

Born in Missouri, he married Barbara Muthig there before in earning a doctorate in nutrition. He was a member of the American Society of Animal Science, American Dairy Science Association, American Poultry Science Association, Professional Animal Scientist, American Dietetic Association and Professional Chaplain Association.

After retiring from active ministry as a deacon, he was an alderman in Park City from 2009 to 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Jennifer Hall, Cynthia Cassidy, Audrey Mackey, Patricia Telle and Paul Telle Jr.; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren, Klaira, Leyna, Emery, Timothy, Olivia and Scarlett.

Divine Word Father Khien (John) Mai Luu, 63, pastor of Resurrection of Our Lord in St. Louis, died in his sleep on May 26.

Father Khien, who devoted his priesthood to working in formation and pastoral ministries, was a missionary in Australia, Vietnam and the United States. He studied at Catholic Theological Union from 1987 until he was ordained in Techny in 1992.

“He was a kind and gentle person who always tried to bring peace and harmony to other people,” said Divine Word Father Quang Duc Dinh, provincial superior of the Chicago Province.

Born in Vietnam, he entered the seminary as a youth in 1969 and earned a certificate in philosophy from Pope John XXIII Seminary in My Tho, Vietnam, in 1979. His seminary studies were interrupted the following year when he left Vietnam, lived in a Thai refugee camp and finally settled in San Jose, California.

Shortly after arriving in the United States, he earned certificates in electronic assembly and electronic technology. In 1982, he enrolled in Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa, where he continued his seminary training.

Providence Sister Elizabeth (Joseph Aloyse) Meyer, 90, died on June 1 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1957. 

She was a teacher and school librarian in Indianan and Illinois. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Genevieve (1958-1964).

Deacon James Eugene Carroll, 88, died May 7. He was ordained in 2002 and served at Holy Cross, Deerfield, before moving to Iowa, where he ministered at the Church of the Nativity in Dubuque.

Deacon Carroll grew up in Philadelphia and attended Villanova University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958, then began a career in sales with Chesebrough Ponds, which eventually brought him to Chicago.

He married the late Janis Lee Opperman in 1961 and they raised four children together. After retiring, he was ordained a deacon and ministered to people with addiction, who were imprisoned and who had fallen away from the church.

He is survived by his children Jim Carroll, Joe Carroll, Mary Ellen Carroll and Shannon Krause; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his brother, Charlie Carroll.

Deacon Joseph Truesdale, 78, died May 18. He was ordained in 2003 and served at St. George Parish, Tinley Park.

A U.S. Army veteran, Deacon Truesdale is survived by his wife, Mary; three children; eight grandchildren; and siblings Marion McGrane, Arthur Truesdale; Dorie Compton; Ernest Truesdale, Bill Truesdale and George Truesdale.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Mary (Margaret Michele) Motz, 89, died Jan. 18 in Cincinnati.

Born in Cincinnati, Sister Mary taught for 10 years in parish schools before attending a Montessori training course in 1962. During her 47-year Montessori career, she served as administrator of Montessori schools, developed and directed Montessori teacher training programs and started new Montessori programs.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was a coordinator and teacher at the Midwest Teacher Training Center in Evanston (1967-2010) while also working at other Midwestern schools.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Marianne (Robert Mary) Bobowski, 84, died Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati.

A native of Chicago, Sister Marianne attended St. Helen School and Notre Dame High School for Girls. She began 43 years of teaching in 1957 and taught every grade from one through six. She also took additional courses in guidance and counseling. She taught at parish schools across Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan.

In 2000, Sister Marianne retired from formal education and received her certification/license as a massage therapist.

Sister of St. Casimir Marilyn Kuzmickus, 83, died April 30 in Lemont.

Born in Waukegan, Sister Marilyn attended St. Bartholomew School there. She made her first profession of vows in 1957 and her final profession in 1962.

Sister Marilyn ministered in the Archdiocese of Chicago for 50 years. She taught at St. George (31st Street, 1957-1959), Immaculate Conception (44th Street, 1959-1966), Sts. Peter and Paul (1966-1967), Providence of God (1967-1968) and Maria High School (1977-1978).

Sister Marilyn served the community as formation directress from 1971 to 1978. She then served in congregational leadership positions from 1978 to 1998, first as assistant general superior and then as general superior. In these roles, Sister Marilyn participated in the national Leadership Conference of Women Religious and regionally with formation directresses of both women’s and men’s communities in Illinois.

She was also a member of the Women Religious Executive Committee, initiated by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin to promote dialogue among women religious in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

During her time as assistant general superior, Sister Marilyn worked on the beatification cause of Mother Maria Kaupas, gathering historical material and testimonies as part of this work. As the cause progressed, she became the postulator.

From 2014 until her death Sister Marilyn provided the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Marie (Dominice) Condon, 92, died May 1 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Marie made her first religious profession in 1949 and her perpetual profession in 1952. She was a teacher, principal and tutor, and served as a pastoral minister, director of religious education, Catholic Charities staff member and assistant prioress at the Sinsinawa motherhouse.

She ministered in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marie taught at Visitation Grade School (1978-1983) and St. Cajetan (1983-1986). She served at Visitation Parish as parish staff (1978-1983) and on the pastoral team (1986-1991), and then as pastoral minister at St. Basil-Visitation Parish (1991-1992). Sister Marie was a tutor at Marillac House (2004-2005) and the Learning Center (2005-2012).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Catherine (Anne Mary) Cox, 80, died May 15 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Catherine made her first religious profession in 1961 and her perpetual profession in 1966. She was a teacher, principal, counselor, resource learning center supervisor, assistant superintendent and teacher personnel supervisor in Illinois, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Catherine taught at St. Thomas More (1963-1968); St. Luke, River Forest (1976-1986); and St. Barnabas (1991-1993). She served as counselor and supervisor of the Resource Learning Center at St. Thomas More (1972-1976); principal of St. Zachary, Des Plaines (1986-1990), and St. Hugh, Lyons (1990-1991); and adjunct teacher at Dominican University, River Forest (1991-1992).

She is survived by a sister, Carol McPheeters.

Father Michael A. Wulsch, 76, died April 27. He was the former pastor of three parishes.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Anthony of Padua School, De LaSalle Institute and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1972.

Father Wulsch was assistant pastor of Our Lady of the Ridge, Chicago Ridge, and associate pastor of St. Frances of Rome, Cicero. He was pastor of St. Veronica, St. Monica and St. Peter, Skokie. He retired in 2018.

Msgr. Patrick Pollard, retired archdiocesan priest, remembered the “incredibly engaging personality” of his classmate. “Mike was able to listen to people with patience, understanding and a smile,” Pollard said.

Father Robert L. Ebrom, 76, died May 1. He was a former faculty member at St. Patrick High School.

Born in Chicago, Father Ebrom attended Queen of All Saints School, Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1971. Father Ebrom was assistant pastor of St. Cletus, La Grange, and associate pastor of St. Maurice Parish, All Saints-St. Anthony and St. Luke, River Forest.

He was also a faculty member at Quigley Preparatory Seminary, St. Rita of Cascia High School, St. Patrick High School and Fenwick High School, Oak Park.

“He was a wonderful brother, and a very bright and well-read priest,” said Father Joseph Mulcrone, director of the Chicago Catholic Office of the Deaf. “Although his health declined, he made praying for others his ministry,” said Mulcrone, who remembered his classmate as a good teacher who loved teaching young people.

Deacon August “Sonny” Annoreno, 79, died April 29. He was ordained in 2006 and served at Our Lady, Mother of the Church.

He was also an active volunteer with the St. Jude Police League, conducting prayer services at wakes and visitations for members of the Chicago Police Department and their families.

Deacon Annoreno is survived his wife, Barbara, and his sister, Josephine Zima.

Divine Word Brother Joachim (Marion) Brignac, 88, died March 29. He was one of the Society of the Divine Word’s first missionaries of Cajun descent.

Born in New Orleans, Brother Joachim was inspired to a life of service by his mother, a public health nurse. After high school, he worked as an adagio dancer, but that career was cut short by a motorcycle accident. He entered the Society of the Divine Word in 1953 and professed vows six years later.

He served as a maintenance engineer in Louisiana for 14 years before being assigned to the Chicago Province in 1979, where he maintained the buildings and property at the Divine World Theologate in Chicago and the Divine Word residence in Bordentown, New Jersey.

One of his lasting accomplishments is the stage in the gym at Elizabeth School in Bronzeville. The project took him four weeks to build and gave countless numbers of students and teachers satisfaction.

In 2003, he was reassigned to the Southern Province and moved to Bay St. Louis, but in 2005, Hurricane Katrina damaged the Divine Word properties in Bay St. Louis and retired residents, including Brother Joachim, were sent to Techny.

Providence Sister Marceline (Elizabeth) Mattingly, 106, died April 24 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Kentucky, Sister Marceline entered the Sisters of Providence in 1933 and professed final vows in 1941. She was a teacher, pastoral associate and activity director at the motherhouse, and she served Indiana, Illinois and Washington, D.C.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1935-1938); St. Genevieve (1946-1948); St. Andrew (1948-1949), St. Leo (1949-1953); Providence High School (1955-1956). 

Sister Marceline is survived by a brother, Jerry Mattingly.

Providence Sister Joan (Ignatius) Matthews, 93, died April 25 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Ohio, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1947 and professed final vows on in 1955. She taught music in elementary and high schools in Illinois; Indiana; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; California; and Massachusetts, and she taught music to children with special needs. In 2003, Sister Joan returned to the motherhouse and offered music opportunities to the sisters, with a specialty of sing-alongs. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mel (1950-1952); St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1955); and Immaculate Conception (Talcott Avenue, 1955-1959).

Redemptorist Brother Thomas Wright, 76, died April 25 in California. He served as treasurer of both Liguori Publications and the Redemptorists’ Denver Province. He was known for his financial expertise and strict adherence to proper protocols. He served his confreres with efficiency and generosity for 51 years.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Michael School (Cleveland Avenue). As a young man, he worked as an assistant to Brother Columban at the parish and was inspired to enter the Redemptorist Brothers School at Pine City. He was assigned to assist in the kitchen. He became an accomplished cook, much to the delight of his confreres.

He professed initial vows in 1966 and perpetual vows in 1971, when he began his lengthy ministry in the financial arena.

He ministered in Chicago, Wisconsin, New York and Missouri, where he was treasurer of Liguori Publications at Liguori Mission House from 1984 until 1995. He was appointed assistant treasurer of the former St. Louis Province in Glenview in 1995. When the Denver Province was formed in 1996, he remained in the Office of Financial Services and relocated to Denver, where he was named administrator of the local community. He was appointed treasurer of the Denver Province in 2002, a position he retained until 2007.

Adrian Dominican Sister Cyrilla (Mary Eileen) Zarek, 93, died April 27 in Adrian, Michigan. 

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul High School. She was in the 75th year of her religious profession: over 22 years in the Nashville Dominican Congregation and in her 51st year with the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Cyrilla ministered in education, as a nursing assistant, pastoral associate, director of pastoral education, pastoral minister/theology reflector, hospital chaplain and director of pastoral care in Tennessee, Illinois, Virginia and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor (1970-1972); was a nurse aide at Applewood Nursing Home, Matteson (1971-1972); was a pastoral associate (1973-1976) and director of pastoral education (1976-1978) at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center; was a pastoral associate at Nativity of Our Lord (1981-1983) and was a chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital (1997-1999) and Loyola Medical Center, Maywood (1999-2006, 2007-2011).

Father Paul F. Rosemeyer, 96, died April 20. He was pastor emeritus of St. Mary Parish, Des Plaines.

Born in La Grange, he attended St. Francis Xavier School in La Grange, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1952.

He was assistant pastor of St. Columbanus Parish and pastor of St. Ambrose, St. Basil and St. Mary, Des Plaines, where he served for 15 years before he retired in 1996.

Msgr. Richard M. Zborowski met Father Rosemeyer at St. Therese Catholic Church in Palatine 20 years ago. When Rosemeyer’s health started to decline, Zborowski took care of him. “He was like my father,” said Zborowski as he remembered his friend, a man of few words nonetheless very holy and well educated. “He was an excellent priest,” added Zborowski.

Deacon Charles W. Tipperreiter, 79, died April 25. He was ordained in 1992 and served at St. Fabian in Bridgeview.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janet; his daughter, Debbie Kandefer; three grandchildren; and his brother, Bill Tipperreiter.

School Sister of St. Francis Ruth Marie (M. Seraphica) Holzhauer, 100, died March 23 in Milwaukee.

Born in Milwaukee, she was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1938 and made her final vows in 1946.

Beginning in 1942, Sister Ruth Marie ministered in Illinois, New York and Wisconsin for more than eight decades.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Philomena School (1942-1948), and at Alvernia High School (1948-1951).

In her retirement, Sister Ruth Marie served as a driver at St. Joseph Convent Motherhouse in Milwaukee (1997-2003). She served in the ministry of prayer and presence at St. Joseph Convent (2003-2007) and at Sacred Heart from 2007 until the time of her death. 

Sister Ruth Marie is survived by two brothers, Charles and Ronald Holzhauer, and her sister, Rosemary Ries.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Suzanne Schuman, 92, died March 23 in Footville, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Suzanne made her first religious profession in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953. She was a teacher and principal and she served in Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Alabama, California, Iowa and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Suzanne taught at St. Barnabas (1983-2009), taught religious education at St. Barnabas Parish (2009-2018) and volunteered as a tutor at Visitation School (2009-2018).

She is survived by two sisters, Marian Mullen and Fran Clausius.

Sister of St. Casimir Regina Marie Dubickas, 75, died March 26.

Sister Regina was born in a refugee camp in Schleswig, Germany, after her parents left Lithuania. As a child, she immigrated to the U.S. with her family, who settled in East St. Louis. She made her first profession of vows in 1967 and her perpetual vows in 1972.

Sister Regina ministered in Illinois for 54 years as a teacher, director of formation, psychologist and congregational leader.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Regina taught at Immaculate Conception School (44th Street, 1967-1968), Nativity BVM School (1968-1970) and Providence of God School (1970-1973), and she was a guidance counselor at Maria High School (1978-1979). She was formation director for the community from 1978 to 1989. She ministered as a psychologist at Michael Reese Hospital, as well as in private practice, from 1994 to 2006.

In 1998, Sister Regina was elected to congregational leadership, where she served first as general councilor (1998-2003), then as assistant general superior (2003-2013), and, from 2013 until her death, as general superior.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Jane (Querin) Herlik, 91, died April 4 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Mary Jane made her first religious profession in 1950, and her perpetual profession in 1953. She taught and was a coprincipal, and served in pastoral ministry and HIV/AIDS ministry.

She noticed in the early 1980s that medical personnel and clergy were afraid to enter hospital rooms of those dying of AIDS, so she responded to their needs, saying, “I felt I was being called to minister to those dying with AIDS,” according to an article in the Tampa Bay Times. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Jane taught at Visitation (1950-1955) and Trinity High School, River Forest (1964-1969, 1973-1978).

She is survived by a sister, Rosalyn Simonar, and a brother, Querin “Quin” Herlik.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Arturo Cranston, 91, died April 10 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Washington, D.C., Sister Arturo made her first religious profession in 1956, and her perpetual profession in 1959. She taught music for 24 years and then studied recreation and natural resources and combined all her passions as director of Camp WeHaKee in Winter, Wisconsin, for 24 years, followed by three years of consulting. Sister Arturo dedicated herself to building up the physical camp and developing young women who were confident and compassionate.

She served in Illinois, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Arturo taught at St. Cajetan (1956-1958) and Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1975-1982).

She is survived by a brother, James “Ray” Cranston.

Sister of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis Dolores Fisher, 93, of Bartlett, died April 12.

Born in Chicago, she entered her religious community in 1946.

She was a teacher, principal and special education teacher. She served at St. Mary of Perpetual Help, St. Roman, Queen of the Universe, St. Mary Star of the Sea, St. Clare of Montefalco, Transfiguration and Bartlett Learning Center and Immaculata Congregational Home.

She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Source.

Father Edward G. Corcoran, 91, died March 28. He was pastor emeritus of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Parish, also known as Little Flower Parish.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Margaret of Scotland School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1956.

He was assistant pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland; Sts. Faith, Hope & Charity, Winnetka; and Our Lady of Grace. He was associate pastor of St. Agnes, Chicago Heights; St. Fabian, Bridgeview; and St. Leonard, Berwyn. He was pastor of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Parish for 14 years.

In addition, Father Corcoran served for 11 years as spiritual director of the North America Indigenous Ministries.

Father William Corcoran, current pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton, Orland Hills, first met Edward Corcoran at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Parish where they worked together. Despite the 26 years age gap, they became close friends. “He was very kind and patient with others,” William Corcoran said. “He loved his parishioners and was a great cheerleader for their betterment.”

After retirement, Father Edward Corcoran went to the Diocese of San Diego to help in the Native American missions. 

School Sister of St. Francis Sister Joseline (Florentina) Valdes, 87, died March 1 at Nazarethville Place in Des Plaines.

Born in the Philippines, Sister Joseline was received into the Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception in the Philippines in 1957 and made her final vows in 1965. She was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1976.

Beginning in 1976, Sister Joseline ministered in Illinois for four decades. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she was a teacher at Holy Angels (1976-1977), assistant principal at St. Philomena School (1977-1978) and teacher at Our Lady of Victory School (1978-1980). She was a caregiver at Life Style Options in Des Plaines (1995-1997) and Community Care System in Oak Park (1996). She served as pastoral minister at St. Peter Canisius Parish (1986-1990) and was assisted living coordinator at Our Lady of Fatima Center in Des Plaines (1997-2013). She also served as the director (1990-1991) and spiritual director (2014-2021) of Fatima Prayer Community in River Grove. In retirement, Sister Joseline served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Fatima Prayer Community from 2021 until the time of her death.  

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Rosemary (Aemilia) Empen, 88, died March 2 in Footville, Wisconsin.

Born in Rochelle, Sister Rosemary made her first religious profession in 1957 and her perpetual profession in 1960. She was a teacher, principal, missionary, pastoral minister and director of a cultural center, and she served in Illinois, New York, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Mississippi, and in Bolivia.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Rosemary taught at St. Basil (1957-1962).

She is survived by three sisters: Shirley Modjallal, Phyliss Gibson and Carol Glenn; and two brothers:  Joseph Empen and Ronald Empen.

Daughter of Charity Cecile Matushek, 81, died in Bridgeton, Missouri, March 14.

Born in Chicago, Sister Cecile graduated from Aquinas High School in 1958 and entered the Daughters of Charity in 1959.

Sister Cecile served in education for the next 28 years in Missouri and Louisiana, during which she earned a master’s degree in education administration.

After completing another master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in New Orleans, Sister Cecile began working in health care in Texas.

She is survived by her sister, Elissa Rose Oldaker.

Sister of St. Casimir M. Concetta Petrauskas, 101, died March 14 in Lemont.

Born in Pennsylvania, Sister Concetta made her first profession of vows in 1943 and her perpetual vows in 1948. She ministered for 64 years in Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania as a teacher and guidance counselor.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Concetta taught at Providence of God (1943-1945), All Saints (1951-1952) and Maria High School (1956-1962). 

Beginning in 2014, her final ministry was that of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village, Lemont.

Adrian Dominican Sister Helen Diane (Ina Marie) McGuirt, 82, died March 18 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Aquinas High School and was in the 64th year of her religious life.

Sister Helen Diane ministered in education, as a religious education coordinator, pastoral minister and counselor in Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia and Kentucky.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Angels (1965-1966); Bishop Quarter, Oak Park (1966-1968); and St. Columbanus (1968-1972).

She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2012.

Sister Helen Diane is survived by a sister, Mary Ina Otten.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Kathleen (Mary Bernard) Conlin, 89, died March 19 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Kathleen made her first religious profession in 1953 and her perpetual profession in 1956. She was a teacher, support staff member and pastoral minister in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Indiana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Kathleen taught at St. Barnabas (1956-1960).

She is survived by two sisters, Mary Ries and Patricia Thiesenhusen, and a brother, Bernard “Joe” Conlin.

Sister of St. Joseph of Carondolet Mary Kathleen Dowling, 71, died March 20 in Fenton, Missouri.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Sister Mary Kathleen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1972 and was received into the novitiate in 1973.

Sister Mary Kathleen ministered in education, teaching in Colorado, Missouri, Michigan and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Nativity of Our Lord (1984), St. Fidelis (1985-1990), St. Philomena (1990-2005) and St. Helen (2005-2021). Sister Mary Kathleen retired in 2021 and moved to St. Louis in January.

Sister of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis Imelda Goska, 95, of Bartlett, died March 22.

She entered religious life in 1942 from St. Barbara Parish (Throop Street).

She ministered in education and service to her community in Chicago as well as in Indiana and Colorado.

Father William B. Gubbins, 92, died March 14. He was pastor emeritus of St. John Berchmans Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Gubbins attended St. Philip Neri School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1955.

Father Gubbins’ first assignment was as assistant pastor at Holy Name Cathedral for nine years before serving in the same role at Our Lady of Knock, Calumet City; St. Nicholas, Evanston; and St. Sylvester. He was associate pastor of Our Lady of Mercy; Divine Providence, Westchester; and St. Aloysius.

After a five-month stay in Israel to study Scripture, Father Gubbins became pastor at Queen of Martyrs Parish, Evergreen Park. In 1992, he became pastor at St. John Berchmans, where he served until 1999. He received the title of pastor emeritus when he retired.

Father William Corcoran, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Orland Hills, lived at the parish with Father Gubbins for about eight years.

“He was 92 going on 60,” said Corcoran, who remembered his friend as thriving and being mentally sharp in his final years. Even after retirement, Father Gubbins heard confessions, celebrated Masses, and facilitated Bible studies, Corcoran added. “He was incredibly kind, a good listener and always serving people.”

Deacon Richard Flam, 87, died Dec. 4 in San Antonio. He was ordained in 1996 and served at St. Marcelline, Schaumburg.

Born in Chicago, Deacon Flam worked in computer systems for 43 years. He loved the Cubs and playing golf, and collecting and building model cars and airplanes. After retirement he moved to Tucson, Arizona, and volunteered for many years at the Pima Air and Space Museum.

Deacon Flam was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, who died Dec. 1. He is survived by his children Julie Copeland, Christine Ballo and Mary Knox; and two grandchildren.

Deacon R. Michael Ruffner, 80, died March 15 in Florida. He was ordained in 1992 and served at Immaculate Conception (North Park Avenue) and at Mary,  Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge.

Deacon Ruffner grew up in Chicago and attended Lakeview High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Sue Walker, and they had three children before his wife died at the age of 23. In 1977, he met his wife Jan through Naim, a group for widows and widowers, and they married in 1978, bringing together his three children and Jan’s son Edward in one family.

Deacon Ruffner worked briefly for Illinois Bell and then American Can Co., before starting his own business, Can Serv, in which he was active even after formally retiring to Florida in 2004.

While in Florida, he continued his diaconate ministry in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Deacon Ruffner is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jan; his children Susan, Sean and Mike; and nine grandchildren. His son Edward predeceased him.

Vincentian Father John T. Richardson, 98, died March 29 in Missouri.

Father Richardson served as president of DePaul University from 1981 to 1993, leading a major expansion of the institution, and he was chancellor from 1993 to 2017.

“Father Richardson’s leadership of DePaul resulted in growing our national reputation, while expanding our engagement in the city of Chicago and deepening our commitment to the university’s Catholic, Vincentian, and urban mission,” DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban said. “He was a visionary leader, whose impact on our university will endure, and he will be missed by all in the DePaul family.”

He joined the university in 1954 as dean of the graduate school, and from 1955 to 1970, he taught in the law school, teaching dozens of future Cook County judges and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Father Richardson’s presidency marked a period of intense growth of DePaul’s community involvement in Lincoln Park, the Loop and all of Chicago. Hallmarks of his time with the university include increasing DePaul’s appeal to students across the country, strengthening the university’s Vincentian commitment to its urban community and developing the diversity of DePaul’s faculty, staff and student body.

In 1997, he went to Kenya to teach in the Vincentian seminary there, returning to DePaul in 2010.

Sister of St. Casimir Johanna Marie Shainauskas, 88, died Feb. 13 in Lemont.

Born in Chicago, Sister Johanna Marie made her first profession of vows in 1952 and her perpetual vows in 1957.

She ministered in California, Pennsylvania and Illinois as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and director of student services.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Johanna Marie taught at All Saints (1952-1954); St. Bartholomew, Waukegan (1954-1956); St. Norbert, Northbrook (1959-1963); Immaculate Conception (44th Street) (1963-1964); Nativity BVM (1964-1965); and Providence of God (1971-1976), where she served as principal from 1976 to 1977.

She was a receptionist at Holy Cross Hospital while teaching music at Immaculate Conception from 1988 to 1989. At Maria High School, she taught Spanish and served as director of student services (1990-1999).

After she retired from education, Sister Johanna Marie served as secretary and receptionist at Nativity BVM Parish.

Adrian Dominican Sister Patricia Laverne (Michael Dominic) Erickson, 79, died Feb. 14 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Wisconsin, she was in the 61st year of her religious life. Sister Patricia ministered in education and as a nurse, and in service to her congregation. She served in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Alabama, Texas, California, Florida, and Puerto Rico, and in Nicaragua, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Denis (1961-1965), St. Rita (1967-1969) and Our Lady of Loretto, Hometown (1970-1972) and was a nursing assistant at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park (1972-1973).

Sister Patricia Laverne became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2021.

She is survived by her sister, Nancy Revell, and her brother, Michael Erickson.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Monice Kavanaugh, 83, died March 16 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Monice attended several Catholic elementary schools, including St. Simon; St. Brendan; Little Flower; St. Leo; and Ascension, Oak Park; before attending Trinity High School, River Forest.

She made her first religious profession in 1958 and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1961. She was a teacher, served her congregation, and was a pastoral minister and director of the diaconate formation program for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She served in Wisconsin, New York and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Monice taught at Queen of Peace, Burbank (1966-1976), where she also served as the chair of the Christian Living Department. She was a pastoral associate at St. Fabian, Bridgeview (1976-1984), and at Immaculate Conception Parish (1991-1999), and was the director of formation for the permanent diaconate formation program for the archdiocese (1984-1991).

Sister Monice served as a member of the Resources for Mission Team for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation while living in Chicago (2011-2017) and ministered with the House of Connections and the Learning Center in Chicago (1999-2014), providing adult education and literacy programs and serving the center as executive director, employment counselor and program director.

Deacon Robert Ciesil, 94, of Schaumburg, died March 2. He was ordained in 1992 and served at St. Alphonsus Liguori, Prospect Heights, and St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates.

He is survived by his wife, Harriet; and his children Mary Schroeder, Donna Fladd and James Ciesil; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Adrian Dominican Sister Grace (Susan Angela) Gianella, 80, died Jan. 13 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 61st year of her religious life.

Sister Grace ministered in elementary education, as a pastoral associate and in administration in Illinois, California and Colorado.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita (1962-1967) and Saint Maria Del Popolo, Mundelein (1967-1971).

She is survived by her brother, Michael Gianella.

Adrian Dominican Sister Anna Mae (Neal Joseph) Kelly, 88, died Jan. 13 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from St. Thomas the Apostle High School. She was in the 69th year of her religious life.

She ministered in elementary education and as a chaplain in Michigan and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mary Star of the Sea (1970-1972), St. Mary of Mount Carmel (1972-1975) and St. Clare of Montefalco (1975-1976); was a tutor at Alexander Smith (1977); directed the learning center at Blessed Agnes (1977-1984); taught at St. David (1984-1985), Bridgeport Catholic Academy (1985-1986), St. Gall (1986-1987), Providence of God (1987-1988), St. Casmir (1988-1989), Epiphany (1995-1997), and St. Benedict, Blue Island (1997-1998); and was a preschool teacher at St. Ailbe (1998-2002).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Maria (Maria Goretti) Oppriecht, 91, died Feb. 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. Born in Wisconsin, Sister Maria made her first religious profession in 1951 and her perpetual profession in 1954.

She was a teacher, school guidance counselor, pastoral minister and Reiki practitioner in South Dakota, Oklahoma, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Maria taught at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1956-1961), and St. Thomas of Villanova, Palatine (1967-1969).

School Sister of Notre Dame Dorothy Kunze, 90, died March 2 at Maple Glen Memory Care Center in Glen Ellyn.

Born in Chicago, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 70 years.

She served as an elementary school teacher and administrator in Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois and was on the province staff as secretary, office manager, finance bookkeeper and transportation coordinator.

Father Thomas J. Mescall, 74, died Feb. 1. He was the former pastor of St. Adrian Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Mescall attended St. Leo School and Leo High School. He went on to the University of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and graduated in 1973 from the John Marshall Law School, now known as University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

Prior to entering the seminary, Father Mescall practiced law in Albuquerque until 2000, serving as a judge for 17 years in municipal, district and probate courts. He married and had two children, and after his divorce, his marriage was nullified.

Father Mescall always felt a pull toward priesthood and in 2000, he entered the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2004.

Father Mescall served the Archdiocese of Chicago as associate pastor of St. Terrence Parish, Alsip, and St. Denis Parish. He was also chaplain of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago and served as pastor at St. Adrian Parish until he retired in 2018.

He is survived by his son, Thomas J. Mescall II; his daughter, Regina Ann Mescall; four grandchildren; his brother, James Mescall; and his dear and faithful friend, Mary Molina Mescall.

Deacon James Patrick Nimietz, 90, died Jan. 28. He served at St. Benedict (Irving Park Road) and St. John of the Cross, Streamwood.

He is survived by his children Kathleen Colwell, Thomas Nimietz, Michael Nimietz and Gregory Nimietz; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother Robert Nimietz.

His wife, Mary Ann, predeceased him.

Viatorian Father John Milton, 92, died Jan. 24 at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights. He was a Viatorian priest for 65 years and founding faculty member of St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights.

Born in Chicago, he graduated high school from Fournier Institute of Technology in Lemont. He was among the first group of brothers to profess vows at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights after it opened in 1952, and he was ordained a priest in 1957.

He taught in Springfield, Peoria and Kankakee, as well as at St. Viator High School (1963-1965, 1968-1986).

He served as director of novices from 1986 to 1991, and taught part-time at DePaul University in 1987. He became a full-time professor at DePaul in 1991 and taught until 2010, when he was awarded the Via Sapientiae Award, the university’s highest faculty-staff honor.

Father Milton retired to the Viatorian Province Center residence in Arlington Heights, and was a weekend celebrant at St. Zachary Parish, Des Plaines, and served as a consultant to the physics program at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, Waukegan, where he helped establish the Advanced Placement science programs.

He is survived by his brother, George Milton.

Sister Loretta (Mary Nathan) Zemaitis, 99, died Jan. 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Loretta made her first religious profession in 1945 and her perpetual profession in 1948. She was a teacher and tutor, served in adult faith formation and was a director of religious education and pastoral minister in Wisconsin, Illinois, the District of Columbia, Montana, Texas, Wyoming, South Carolina and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Loretta taught at Visitation (1958-1962), provided food and clothing for those in need at St. Basil Parish (1983-1984), and taught adult religious education and worked with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program at Parish Cooperative of South Chicago (St. Mary Magdalene Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish) (1984-1990).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister LaDonna (Albertino) Jeno, 90, died Jan. 28 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Minnesota, Sister LaDonna made her first religious profession in 1952 and her perpetual profession in 1955. She taught, was a cook and served as support staff and an educational aide in Illinois, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Minnesota and Alabama.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister LaDonna taught at Epiphany (1952-1954) and Immaculate Conception, Waukegan (1960-1962). She served as cook at Trinity Convent, River Forest (1958-1959).

Edmund Rice Christian Brother Robert Liguori May, 87, died Jan. 30.

Brother Robert attended St. Sabina School and Leo High School before joining the Christian Brothers in 1952.

He taught in New York before returning to the Chicago area. He taught at Brother Rice High School and St. Laurence High School, Burbank, Illinois, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Brother Robert founded the remedial reading programs at both Brother Rice and St. Laurence, and was active in parents’ clubs and served as band moderator and on school advisory boards. He also served as novice master for his community for seven years.

After retiring in 2005, Brother Robert moved into Marian Village retirement home in Homer Glen, and served on the Resident Council Board, was a sacristan and eucharistic minister, helped in the deli and called bingo and ran other games.

Providence Sister Mary Ann (Robert Ann) Lechner, 92, died Feb. 1 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1947 and professed final voes in 1954. 

She ministered as teacher in Indiana and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mel (1949-1954).

Sister Mary Ann is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Bormann and Eileen Lauka.

Benedictine Sister Barbara (Mary Justin) McCarry, 82, died Feb. 2 in St. Joseph Court Infirmary.

Born in Chicago, Sister Barbara attended St. Anthony de Padua Parish and Maria High School. She professed triennial vows in 1964 and made her final profession of vows in 1968.

Sister Barbara taught English for a Chicago public high school (1961-1962), then taught at St. Scholastica Academy (1964-1965, 1968-1974), Queen of All Saints (1966-1967, 1977-1978) and St. Hilary (1967-1968) and then served as curriculum director at St. Scholastica (1974-1977). She returned to Queen of All Saints as principal from 1978 to 1993.

Sister Barbara then trained and served as a probation officer in Chicago at the Juvenile Court Building, with outreach to detention centers in St. Charles and Warrenville. She later returned as a curriculum consultant for the Chicago Board of Education. In 2008, Sister Barbara served as a consultant for UNO Charter Schools.

From 2012 to 2022, Sister Barbara lived a life of prayer.

Sister Theresa (M. Edmundine) Lesnak, 93, died Jan. 13 in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first profession of vows in 1948 and her final profession in 1954.

Beginning in 1950, Sister Theresa ministered in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Nebraska for more than seven decades.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Theresa taught at St. Mary School, Buffalo Grove (1974-1975); was an administrative secretary for Smoler Brothers (1975-1980); taught at Madonna High School (1980-1994); was a secretary for the FD Services Data Base (1994-1995); taught at St. Benedict High School (1995-1998); was an instructor at Wright College (1998-2005); and was bookkeeper for St. Priscilla Convent (2005-2007).

In retirement, Sister Theresa was a volunteer at St. Joseph Convent in Campbellsport, Wisconsin (2007-2014), and served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee (2014-2015), and at Our Lady of the Angels Convent in Greenfield from 2015 until the time of her death. 

Basilian Father John Fiore, 92, died Jan. 15 at the Albertine Home in Hammond, Indiana.

He was born in Toronto and was ordained at St. Basil Church there in 1957. He came to Chicago to earn a doctorate in musicology from the University of Chicago.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he assisted at Little Flower, St. David, and for more than 30 years at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Oak Lawn.

Sister Joan (James Irene) Redden, BVM, 92, died Jan. 15 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, she entered the BVM congregation in 1947 from St. Francis of Rome Parish, Cicero. She professed first vows in 1950 and final vows in 1955.

Sister Joan ministered in Iowa, Illinois and Washington. In Illinois, she taught elementary school in Cicero and high school in Waukegan and Lake Forest. She also was a teacher assistant in North Chicago and an assistant apartment manager in Waukegan.

Redemptorist Father Richard Thibodeau, 72, the first provincial superior of the Redemptorist Denver Province, died Jan. 16 of COVID-19-related pneumonia in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. An exceptional administrator blessed with a sensitivity to navigate difficult issues, Father Richard served in leadership positions throughout his 44 years as a Redemptorist missionary.

Born in Milwaukee, Father Richard felt called to the priesthood in elementary school. He professed temporary vows in 1970 and perpetual vows in 1973. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1976.

Father Richard ministered in Redemptorist formation programs, as marketing director and president of Liguori Publications; as a local community rector and provincial consultor; and as vicar of the Villa Redeemer community in Glenview.

When two provinces merged to form the Denver Province in 1996, he was elected superior and served three terms, until 2005.

He then was pastor of St. Michael Parish (Cleveland Avenue) 2005 until 2011, before serving as a pastor in New Orleans before being appointed director of the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc in 2019.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Barbara (Walthier) Bell, 90, died Jan. 17 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Barbara made her first religious profession in 1951 and her perpetual profession in 1954. She was a teacher, director of religious education, bookkeeper and pastoral administrator in Minnesota, Indiana, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Illinois and Montana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Barbara served as director of religious education at St. Thomas of Villanova, Palatine (1973-1975), and Visitation Parish (1975-1976), where she also taught in the school.

Father John J. Nicola, 92, died Jan. 3. He was the former assistant pastor of St. Cecilia Parish (Wells Street) and St. James Parish, Arlington Heights.

Born in Evanston, Father Nicola attended St. Thomas of Canterbury School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1955.

He also earned a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.

Father Nicola was assistant pastor of St. James Parish and St. Cecilia and taught at Quigley Preparatory Seminary for 10 years before moving to the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., to serve as the assistant director of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. After that assignment, he taught at Georgetown Prep in Maryland and other Catholic high schools.

Deacon Timothy Donovan, 82, died Dec. 16, 2021, in Arizona. He was ordained in 1993 and served at Old St. Mary and Holy Rosary parishes.

Born in Chicago, he worked as an auditor for the federal government, according to his wife of 52 years, Noreen Donovan. Deacon Donovan loved to read and take walks near the couple’s retirement home in Arizona.

He entered diaconate formation when their children were in high school, and as a deacon, he especially liked doing marriage preparation for couples in which one of the partners was not Catholic.

“A couple of years later they’d be back for baptism preparation, and they would ask for him,” Noreen Donovan said.

Deacon Donovan is survived by his wife, his children Tim and Sharyn, and four grandchildren.

Deacon José Mendoza, 81, died Jan. 5 in Kentucky. He was ordained in 1995 and ministered at St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish for five years.

He moved first to the Diocese of Joliet before living in McAllen, Texas, and then Elizabeth, Kentucky.

He is survived by his wife, Grace Jasso Mendoza; his children Mark A. Mendoza, Jaime A. Mendoza and Georgiana T. Mendoza Bulanda; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his sisters Carmen Mendoza, Martina Morales and Teresa Mendoza; and his brothers Amado Mendoza, Antonio Mendoza and Martin Mendoza.

Adrian Dominican Sister Lucy Ann (Florence Maurice) Quinn, 89, died Dec. 17, 2021.

Born in Detroit, she was in her 70th year of religious profession.

Sister Lucy Ann ministered in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Clare of Montefalco.

Felician Sister Mary Claude (Helen) Szyperski, 89, died Dec. 22, 2021, in Mother of Good Counsel Convent.

Born in Chicago, she attended Good Shepherd Grade School and Good Counsel High School. After high school, she worked for a number years at the Prudential Insurance Company. She entered the Felician Sisters’ postulancy in 1960 and professed her final vows in 1967. 

She was primarily engaged in ministry to the aged, serving at St. Mary Home for the Aged in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, mainly as an administrator, for nearly 40 years.

Later, she served in senior ministry in the Mother of Good Counsel Convent.

Adrian Dominican Sister Ann Patrice (Lucille Judith) Remkus, 93, died Dec. 24, 2021, in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Rockford, she was in the 74th year of her religious profession.

Sister Ann Patrice ministered in education, pastoral and office ministry in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, California and Arizona.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Laurence (1953-1955); Aquinas High School (1963-1967); and Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1968-1971). She worked at St. Mary, Star of the Sea (1979-1981); was a development assistant at Regina Dominican (1981-1986); was a pastoral associate at Our Lady of Charity, Cicero (1987-1993); and was secretary to the director of religious education at St. Victor, Calumet City (1995-1998).

Adrian Dominican Sister Anne (Joseph Anthony) Beauvais, 88, died Dec. 25, 2021, in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Libertyville, she was in the 69th year of her religious profession.

Sister Anne ministered in Michigan, Illinois and Nevada.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Joseph, Homewood (1953-1956), and St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1960-1962). She was principal of Ascension, Harvey (1966-1975); taught junior high at St. Clare of Montefalco (1975-1976); and was administrative secretary at St. Cyprian School, River Grove (1988-1991). She was a receptionist in pastoral care (1992-2002) and a chaplain at Mercy Hospital (2002-2013) before retiring.

She is survived by her sister, Cecile Harris, and her brother, Father David E. Beauvais.

Adrian Dominican Sister Loretta (Ann Elizabeth) May, 88, died Jan. 3 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 71st year of her religious profession.

Sister Loretta ministered in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita (1954-1955) and St. Philip Neri (1955-1957).