Divine Word Father David Mayer, 80, died Dec. 6 in Techny.

A missionary in Japan for almost 45 years, Father Mayer served as professor of American literature and language at Nanzan University in Nagoya and was an expert on the works of Flannery O’Connor, James T. Farrell, Japanese-American writer Toshio Mori and urban ethnic writers.

In his book “The American Neighborhood Novel” (University of Nagoya Press: 1986), Father Mayer developed the genre of the neighborhood novel, fiction that either celebrates or criticizes the values and relationships of an urban group closely knit by their common identity and physical presence.

Born in 1938 in Missouri, Father Mayer professed religious vows in 1958.

In addition to degrees from St. Mary’s Seminary in Techny, he earned a master’s degree in English from Georgetown University and a doctorate in English from the University of Maryland.

Ordained in 1966, Father Mayer taught at Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa, until 1968. He began teaching at Nanzan University in 1974.

A prolific writer, Father Mayer penned academic works, essays and book reviews, as well as fiction and poetry.

Father Mayer returned to the United States for home leave in spring of 2018 and stayed for health reasons.

Sister of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis Marianne Wiora, 93, died Dec. 7.

In her 70 years of religious life, she was a teacher, principal, missionary and pastoral minister who did education with the elderly.

She served in the Archdiocese of Chicago; in South Bend, Indiana; and in Puerto Rico.

Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Patricia Kinser, 93, died Dec. 9 in Ohio.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, she was in her 75th year of religious life.

For nearly 30 years, Sister Patricia served students and their families as an elementary teacher and principal at schools in Ohio and Illinois. After her retirement, she ministered in the Cincinnati area as a school secretary and volunteered in several inner-city ministries.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Peter Canisius School (1955-1957, 1967-1969).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Julianne (Mary Leonard) Josten, 92, died Dec. 10 in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.

Born in South Dakota, Sister Julianne made her first religious profession in 1946 and her perpetual profession in 1949. She taught for 30 years and served as principal for five years. Sister Julianne served as activities director for three years, as convent administrator for three years and assistant in the General Finance Office for 15 years. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, California, Minnesota and Washington.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Julianne taught at St. Mary, Evanston (1946-1949), and Immaculate Conception (1949-1955). She served as administrator at Trinity Convent, River Forest (1985-1988).

Father James P. Roache, 84, died Nov. 19. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1959.

Father Roache attended St. Francis de Sales School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.

He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 20, 1959, in Vatican City.

He served as assistant pastor at Holy Name Cathedral, communications representative for the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace, moderator of the curia and vicar general.

Father Gregory Sakowicz, rector of Holy Name Cathedral, recalled how much Father Roache loved the people of God and being a priest.

“Something most people would not know about Jim is that he celebrated Mass every Tuesday for over 50 years at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago,” he said.