Br. Thomas Joseph

TAILOR, YOUTH WORKER

Divine Word Brother Thomas (Herman) Joseph, 80, died April 15, in Techny, Ill.

Born in Belize, Brother Thomas was one of 14 children. His father, a tailor by trade, began teaching his son the business when the boy was 8 years old. At age 21, when Brother Thomas began studies with the Society of the Divine Word, he already had achieved master tailor status.

In 1954, he began novitiate in Mississippi and in 1962, he professed perpetual vows.

Brother Thomas’ varied career included tailoring; administrative work in Conesus, N.Y., and Duxbury. Mass.; and youth ministry in Asbury Park, N.J., and Chicago.

In the archdiocese, he worked in Our Lady of the Gardens (1989-91) and at St. Elizabeth (1991-2001).

Brother Thomas was the last living Divine Word Missionary from Belize. He is survived by two siblings, Elistina and Simeon.

Sr. Lorraine Menheer

EDUCATOR, PASTORAL MINISTER

School Sister of St. Francis Lorraine Menheer, 77, died April 17 at her home in Barrington.

A Wisconsin native, she was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1950 and made final vows in 1958.

Sister Lorraine was a teacher, principal, parish minister and pastoral minister in Illinois and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Joseph, Summit (1957-59); Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenview (1959-65) and St. William (1965-66). She was principal at St. Anne, Barrington (1966-82), and served there as a parish minister (1982-87) and pastoral minister (1987-2010).

Sr. Helen Spellecy

PRINCIPAL

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Helen (Justine) Spellecy, died April 20 in Sinsinawa, Wis.

A Nebraska native, Sister Helen entered the congregation in 1933, and made her final profession of vows in 1936.

She ministered in education as a teacher and administrator for 64 years, during which time she also served as a general councilor for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation for five years of the six-year term. She ministered for five years as the Mound prioress at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa. Sister Helen served in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Helen served as principal at St. Sabina (1961-67) and as assistant principal at St. Barnabas (1977-88).

Sr. Emmalin Recker

TEACHER

School Sister of St. Francis Emmalin (Dacia) Recker, 103, died April 28 in Campbellsport, Wis.

A Nebraska native, she entered the congregation in 1923 and made first profession of vows August 20, 1925, and final (perpetual) vows August 18, 1931.

Sister Emmalin lived her religious ministry in Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Iowa. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Glenview (1948- 61).

Sr. Marie Hodapp

TEACHER

School Sister of St. Francis Marie Hodapp, 88, died May 6 in Campbellsport, Wis.

An Iowa native, she was received into the community in 1940 and made final vows in 1948.

Sister Marie lived her religious ministry in Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Benedict Grade School in Chicago (1951-1957).

Sister Marie is survived by her sisters Marge Kennedy and Rita Mueller.