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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He is survived by his brother, Daniel Seifert.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He is survived by his sister, Faustine Perham.