Sr. Cordelle Coté

EDUCATOR

Sister Cordelle Coté, 94, died Nov. 15 in Dubuque, Iowa.

A Chicago native, she entered the Sisters of Charity, BVM in 1934 from St. Peter Canisius Parish, and professed final vows in 1942.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Cordelle taught at St. Jerome (1937-41) and Our Lady Help of Christians (1945-47).

Sr. Germaine Scheifen

TEACHER

Mercy Sister Germaine (M. Baptist) Scheifen, 90, died Nov. 15 at Mercy Convent.

A Milwaukee native, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1941.

She spent seven years (1943-50) at the Mercy Infirmary caring for retired sisters. She then taught at Resurrection (1950-55); St. Finbarr (1955-56); St. Raymond de Penafort, Mount Prospect (1956-57); Holy Family (1967-68); St. Ita (1977-89) and the St. Xavier College cultural arts program (1989-95). She also taught at other schools in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Sr. Blanche Marie Gallagher

EDUCATOR, SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

BVM Sister Blanche Marie Gallagher, 88, died Nov. 19 in Chicago.

An Iowa native, she entered the Sisters of Charity, BVM congregation in 1944 and professed final vows in Aug. 15, 1952.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Blanche Marie was a professor of art and art spirituality at Mundelein College (1955- 61, 1962-73, 1981-87 and 1989- 91), and professor of pastoral studies and spiritual director at Loyola University Chicago (1991-95). From 1995 until her death, she was professor emerita of pastoral studies, Loyola University Chicago. She also taught elementary and secondary school in Milwaukee, Wis.; Wichita, Kan.; and Milwaukee, Wis.

Deacon Zygfryd Oborski

ORDAINED IN 1979

Deacon Zygfryd L. Oborski, 91, died Nov. 28.

He was ordained in 1979 and served at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred, and children Colette Monahan, Fred and Martin, as well as six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was past president of St. Stanislaus B&M Holy Name Society and bingo, a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus, a member of West End Post #2004 V.F.W. and past owner of Chicago Tool & Die.

Sr. St. Luke Belus

EDUCATOR

BVM Sister St. Luke Belus, 88, died Dec. 2 in Dubuque, Iowa.

A Wyoming native, she entered the Sisters of Charity, BVM congregation in 1946 and professed final vows in 1953.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister St. Luke taught third grade at St. Pius (1949-52) and first and second grade at St. Callistus (1952-58).

She is survived by a sister, Ann Ballek.

Fr. Thomas J. Meik

EDUCATOR

Vincentian Father Thomas J. Meik, 90, died Dec. 2 in Perryville, Mo.

A Chicago native, he professed vows in 1942 and was ordained in 1948.

Following ordination, he served at Assumption Seminary, San Antonio, for two years before joining the faculty at DePaul University, where he served for 38 years (1950-88). Following his retirement, he was senior confrere at the De Paul Vincentian Residence in Chicago (1988- 2006).

He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Gallagher.

Sr. Marie Bentz

EDUCATOR

Adrian Dominican Sister Marie (Marie Loretta) Bentz, 89, died Dec. 3 in Adrian, Mich.

A Pennsylvania native, she was in her 72nd year of religious life.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Kilian (1939- 40); St. Edmund, Oak Park (1940-41) and Aquinas High School, (1961-64).

Sister Marie is survived by a brother, Leo, and a sister, Laura McCaughan.

Sr. Mary Ellen Schulte

EDUCATOR

BVM Sister Mary Ellen (Theo) Schulte, 76, died Dec. 4 in Dubuque, Iowa.

An Iowa native, she entered the Sisters of Charity, BVM congregation in 1953 and professed final vows in 1961.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Ellen taught elementary school at St. Gilbert, Grayslake, and St. Dorothy (1963-66). She ministered for most of her religious life in Iowa.

She is survived by her brothers Tom, Leo and Joseph; and her sister, Irene Wasson.