Deacon John Ficker, 86, died May 29. He was ordained in 1994 and served at St. George, Tinley Park.

Deacon Ficker was a member of one of the founding families of St. George and lived in the parish his whole life. He met his wife Alice at the church. The couple married in 1952.

As a young man, Deacon Ficker worked as a milkman for Vogt’s General Store. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Korean War.

He and his wife prepared couples for marriage. As a deacon, he officiated at 50 weddings and baptized 500 babies, but he will be most remembered in the parish for the time he spent visiting the sick and taking the Eucharist to them in the hospital.

He is survived by his wife, his children John, Cathy, Larry, Barbara, Michael , Cindy and Daniel; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Father Robert Behnke, 69, died June 4 at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park. He was a resident of St. Bede the Venerable Parish and former pastor of St. Barbara Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Behnke attended St. Priscilla and St. Francis Borgia schools and Quigley Preparatory Seminary. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Niles College of Loyola University, and graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1973.

He served as associate pastor at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (1973-1978); St. Mary Magdalene (1978- 1980); Queen of Martyrs, Evergreen Park (2000); and St. Thomas More (2000-2002). In 1980, Father Behnke was named administrator of Assumption BVM and served in that capacity until 1983, when he was named pastor. The parish eventually merged with St. Catherine of Genoa and Father Behnke remained there until 2000. During his time at Assumption BVM, he was administrator of SS. Peter and Paul Parish for almost three years. Father Behnke then served as pastor of St. Barbara (Throop Street) (2002-2006). From 2006 to 2016, Father Behnke was a resident of St. Thomas More and St. Bede the Venerable parishes.

Father Behnke is survived by a brother, David.

Father Philip Dressler, 80, died May 26 at St. Juliana Parish Rectory, where he was a resident and pastor emeritus.

Born in Chicago, Father Dressler attended St. Andrew School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1961.

Father Phil, as he was commonly called, was assistant pastor at St. Ita (1961-1965) and St. Anne, Barrington (1965-1972). He was pastor of Immaculate Conception (North Park Ave.) (1979-1985), Queen of Angels (1985-1995) and St. Juliana Parish (1995- 2005).

He also was administrator of St. Anne (1971); Our Lady Help of Christians (1974); St. Juliana (2005); Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village (2007); and St. Mary of Perpetual Help (2008).

Father Dressler is survived by a brother, Joseph Dressler.

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Declan (Geraldine) Foss, 95, died May 21 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, she was in the 67th year of her religious profession.

Sister Mary Declan ministered mostly in education and as a recreational therapist in Michigan, Illinois, California, Ohio and Indiana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught elementary school at St. Rita (1949-1950) and high school at Aquinas High School (1950-1952).

Providence Sister Michael Ellen (Dorothy Ellen) Green, 86, died May 15 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1951 and professed final vows in 1958.

In her 65 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in housekeeping, hospitality and health care.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Columbkille (1954) and St. Sylvester (1954-1958).

Sister Michael Ellen is survived by a sister, Joanne Broden.

BVM Sister Veronica J. (Timothena) Burke, 95, died May 11 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in San Francisco, she entered the BVM congregation in 1939 and professed final vows in 1947.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Veronica taught at St. Gertrude. She also served in Montana, California, Iowa and the Panama Canal Zone.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Margaret “Marge” (John Francis) Conroy, 84, died May 10 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Marge made her first religious profession in 1951 and her final profession in 1954.

She taught for 50 years and served as an educational administrator and support staff. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marge taught at St. Richard, (1969-1970); Epiphany (1970-1972); St. Giles, Oak Park (1973-1976); St. Barnabas (1980-1981); St. Vincent Ferrer, River Forest (1985-1992); and Queen of All Saints (1992-2007).

She served as support staff at Mercy Hospital (1972-1973), and as director of religious education and assistant principal at St. Joseph Parish and School, Homewood (1976-1980).

She is survived by a brother, Edmund Conroy.

Servite Sister M. Eugenia Tremblay, 94, died May 5 at Addolorat Village in Wheeling. Born in Wisconsin, she entered the Servants of Mary in 1937 and was professed in 1939.

She taught at the elementary, high school and college levels in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Domitilla, Hillside, and St. Philip the Apostle, Northbrook.

She was the youngest and last surviving of seven siblings, four of whom entered religious life.

Dr. Lucine H. Mastalerz, 66, died with her family around her on May 20.

A lifelong Catholic educator, Dr. Mastalerz began her career as a high school teacher and became a principal in 1988. She had be principal at St,, Ferdinand School for the past 12 years.

Classes at St. Ferdinand were cancelled May 27 for her funeral.

She is survived by her husband Stan, her children Irene Heidelbauer, Rudy and David, and six grandchildren. Two children, Peter and Angeline, preceded her in death.

Deacon Salvador Cornejo, 75, died April 14 in Romeoville, Illinois.

He ministered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish until he retired 20 years ago, according to his daughter Guille.

Deacon Cornejo was born in Mexico, and married his wife, Teresa, there.

He first came to Chicago in 1967 and worked at Chicago Steel and Wire.

He is survived by his wife and his children Ismael, Ramiro, Guille, Salvador and Teresa. A daughter, Maribel, died as an infant.

BVM Sister Vincentia Kaeferstein, 102, died Jan. 13 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1931 and professed final vows in 1939.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Vincentia taught at St. Eulalia, Maywood, and St. Ferdinand. She also ministered in Wyoming and Iowa.

Claretian Father Wayne Schimmelmann, 66, died Jan. 12 at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Born in Virginia, Father Schimmelmann made his religious profession as a Claretian Missionary in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1986.

He served in parishes, on college campuses and in hospitals in Missouri, New Jersey, Illinois and Georgia. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, he ministered at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (1991-1992), St. Paul Parish (1996-1998) and University of Illinois Medical Center and Resurrection Hospital (1998-2004). He was a resident of Claretian houses in Chicago and Oak Park (2005-2015) before moving to Mercy Circle.

He is survived by his sisters, Donna Bourland, MaryAnne Massey and Joanne Griffin, and brothers Charles and Allen Schimmelmann.

Providence Sister Margaret (Bernard Maureen) Kelly, 80, died Jan. 15 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1957 and professed final vows in 1964.

She ministered as a teacher for 46 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina and Missouri, then cared for her sister and served as coordinator of the Chicago Providence Women.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette (1964-1967); St. Angela, (1971-1979); Immaculate Conception (1979-1982); and Maternity BVM (1982-2007); and in service to her family in Chicago (2007-2014).

Sister Margaret is survived by three brothers, Ed, Mike and Jim Kelly.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Kathleen (Marie Winifred) O’Donnell, 93, died Jan. 10 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Kathleen made her first religious profession in 1946 and her final profession in 1949. She was a teacher, principal, director of the Dominican Education Center, support staff member and pastoral associate. Sister Kathleen served in Oklahoma, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Alabama.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Kathleen served as secretary at Visitation School (1975-1981); Misericordia Home North (1983-1984); for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation’s Eastern Province while based in River Forest (1992-1998); and at St. Luke Convent, River Forest (1999-2000).

Sister Caroline (Mary Caroline) Hatch, 90, died Jan. 9 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Massachusetts, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1946 and professed final vows in 1954. She ministered for 60 years in as a primary-grade teacher in schools in Illinois, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Angela (1949-1953), St. Agnes (1954) and St. Columbkille (1957-1962).

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Nancy (Ann Christopher) Gnau, 86, died Jan. 8 in Cincinnati.

Born and raised in Ohio, she entered the community in 1948 and made her final vows in 1956. She taught in elementary schools in Ohio and then began a long career as a teacher and administrator in high schools in Columbus, Dayton and Chicago, including Notre Dame High School for Girls.

Sister Nancy is survived by two sisters, Norma and Mary.

Sister of the Living Word Agnes Martinka, 89, died Jan. 7.

Born in Minnesota, she entered religious life in 1946 and made her final profession as a Sister of Christian Charity in 1954. Sister Agnes was a founding member of the Sisters of the Living Word in 1975.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Agnes ministered as teacher or principal at St. Gregory; St. Martha, Morton Grove; St. Theresa, Palatine; and St. Isaac Jogues, Niles.

She is survived by her brothers, Robert and Jerome.

Adrian Dominican Sister Michael Claire (Barbara Lynn) Wilson, 83, died Dec. 25 in Adrian, Michigan.

A native of Detroit, she was in the 66th year of her religious profession.

Sister Michael Claire ministered in elementary and secondary education and pastoral ministry in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Arizona.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Michael Claire taught at St. Joseph School, Homewood (1951-1959).

She is survived by two sisters, Kathy Foster and Donna Wilson.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Noreen (Catherine Michael) Joyce, 83, died Dec. 20 in Cincinnati.

Born in Chicago, she entered the community in 1951 and made final vows in 1958.

Sister Noreen taught in primary and Montessori schools in Chicago and Rockford, Illinois, as well as in Ohio and Arizona. She also was involved in parish religious education.

Mercy Sister Anne Marie (Mary Bertina) Doran, 89, died Oct. 25 in Chicago.

Born and raised in Chicago, she attended Mercy High School before entering the community in 1946.

She taught in Catholic grade schools in Illinois and Wisconsin before pursuing ministry in health care. Upon becoming a licensed practical nurse, she worked full-time for almost 30 years at what is now known as Presence Health in Aurora, Illinois.

Mercy Sister Margaret Wright, 81, died Oct. 16.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Mercy after graduating from St. Patrick High School, Des Plaines.

She graduated from Creighton University School of Pharmacy in Omaha, Nebraska and became a pharmacist in 1962. She served at Mercy Hospitals in Chicago and Aurora, Illinois, for many years. During that time, she served on the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy for 17 years, including 13 years as chairwoman.

She was the first woman and the first from a hospital setting to be named Pharmacist of the Year in 1980 by the Illinois Pharmacists Association, and in 1995, Sister Margaret was introduced as “the conscience of pharmacy in Illinois” when she was named an honorary lifetime member to the Illinois Council of Hospital Pharmacists.

Adrian Dominican Sister Elizabeth (Catherine William) Kreiner, 95, died Jan. 15 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 79th year of her religious profession.

Sister ministered in education, in congregation leadership, as a chaplain and as an administrator in Illinois and Michigan.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of Angels (1938-1943, 1967-1968); St. Celestine, Elmwood Park (1943-1951); St. Clare of Montefalco (1951-1952); and St. Albert the Great, Oak Lawn (1962-1967). She was co-provincial of the St. Dominic Province in Hometown (1970-1972), executive director of Mercy House Corp (1973-1974); chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital (1974-1976) and chaplain at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood (1977-1981).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Therese (Eamon) O’Donnell, 90, died Jan. 14 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Chicago, Sister Therese made her first religious profession in 1947 and her final profession in 1950. She was a teacher, principal and consultant in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Therese was principal at St. Basil (1968-1969) and St. Louis de Montfort, Oak Lawn (1977-2002).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Jeanne Flanagan, 91, died Jan. 14 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Jeanne made her first religious profession in 1949 and her final profession Aug. 5, 1952. She ministered in education, community leadership, religious education and spiritual direction in Minnesota, Wyoming, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Jeanne was principal at Queen of Peace, Burbank (1962-1966) and served the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation as prioress provincial of the Southwest Province (1968-1976).

Adrian Dominican Sister Marianne (David Frances) O’Neill, 80, died on Jan. 13 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she was in the 62nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Marianne ministered in education, pastoral care and service to her congregation in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Mary Star of the Sea (1979-1981); Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1981-1986); and St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1986-1987).

Benedictine Sister Anne (Barbara) Krall, 88, died Jan. 5 at St. Scholastica Monastery.

She was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado, and entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago in 1954. She made her final vows in 1959.

In Chicago, she taught at Queen of All Saints, St. Joseph, St. Hilary and St. Symphorosa. She also taught at a number of schools and directed parish religious education programs in Colorado.

Sister of Notre Dame of Namur Rita (St. Clement) Schirtzinger, 88, died Dec. 27 in Cincinnati.

Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, she entered the community in 1946 and made her final vows in 1954.

Sister Rita taught elementary school in parish schools in Ohio and Illinois. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Victor. When Sister Rita retired from formal teaching, she tutored adults and helped them pass their GED and gain computer skills.

Sister Rita is survived by one sibling, Ida Dunkman.

Rabbi Herman Schaalman, 100, died Feb. 1. One of the foremost Reform rabbis in the United States, he was a leader in the movement for interfaith dialogue and one of the founders of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago.

He was a close friend of Cardinal Bernardin and participated in his funeral rites.

Rabbi Schaalman came to the United States from his native Germany to study in 1935. He came to Chicago in 1949 to serve as the Midwest director of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. In 1956, he became the senior rabbi at Emanuel Congregation, 5959 N. Sheridan Road, where he served for 30 years.

According to an article in the JUF News in honor of his 100th birthday, Rabbi Schaalman served as a trustee on the board of the Millennium Institute and a member of the executive committee of the Council for the Parliament of World Religions. In 1991, the president of Germany honored him with the award of the Order of Merit, First Class. The International Council of Christians and Jews gave Schaalman its highest honor, the Interfaith Gold Medallion — Peace Through Dialogue. Among his honorary doctorates was one from Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park, where he also served on the faculty.

He is survived by his children, Susan Youdovin and Michael Schaalman, and five grandchildren.

Deacon Robert O’Keefe, 88, died Jan. 31. He was ordained in 1984 and served at St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Niles.

He retired as vice president of human resources after 50 years of service at Fel-Pro in Skokie, where he was known as an advocate for all employees.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; children Kevin, Patrick and Timothy O’Keefe; and Mary Walsh, Kathleen O’Neill and Eileen Reisel; 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

BVM Sister Janita Curoe, 87, died Feb. 10 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Iowa, Sister Janita entered the BVM congregation in 1946 and professed final vows in 1954.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Janita taught elementary school at St. Eugene. She also taught in Iowa, Tennessee and Mississippi.