Divine Word Father Eric Vargas, 67, died Feb. 27 in Techny.

Born in New York City, he joined the Society of the Divine Word in 1963 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1975.

In the early years of his priesthood, he ministered in Naranjito, Puerto Rico. He also did pastoral work on the East Coast and in California.

He was granted early retirement for health reasons in 2004 and moved to Techny in 2008.

He is survived by his sister, Rita Santiago.

Sister of St. Casimir Teresita Miksas, 95, died March 24. She was a member of the congregation for 76 years.

Born in Chicago, she attended Immaculate Conception Parish in Brighton Park. She entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1936, and made her final vows in 1944.

She ministered in elementary and high schools in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Nebraska.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago she taught St. Anthony, Cicero (1939-1943); St. Casimir, Chicago Heights (1943-1947); and Maria High School (1964-1971; 1978- 1983).

In addition to teaching, Sister Teresita served as local superior, as part of the SSC leadership team, and superintendent of SSC Schools.

Deacon Thomas Morgan, 71, died March 19. He was ordained in 2005.

Over the years, Deacon Morgan had ministered at St. James Parish, Arlington Heights; Transfiguration Parish, Wauconda; and St. Gilbert Parish, Grayslake.

He served as a chaplain for St. Vincent de Paul, as a minister of care visiting the sick and dying, was involved in the Christian Family Movement and was a Quest Youth Group leader.

Deacon Morgan is survived by his wife Dolores; his children Mark Morgan, Kerry Hughes and Mary Kay Wathen; seven grandchildren and three siblings.

BVM Sister Dorothy (Mildred Ann) Townsell, 103, died March 18 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Streator, Illinois, she entered the BVM congregation in 1932 and professed final vows in 1940.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Dorothy taught at Mundelein College. She also taught college and high school in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and California.

She is survived by her sisters Catherine Voisinet and Mildred Willett.

Providence Sister Amata (Helen Therese) Dugan died March 14 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indianapolis, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1957.

She ministered in education and administration in Indiana, Illinois and California.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, St. Francis Borgia (1952-1953), St. Genevieve (1953-1955) and St. Agnes (1963- 1965, 1987-1990).

Adrian Dominican Sister Helen Patrick (Mary Eileen) Bartley, 97, died March 12 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Aquinas High School. She was in the 76th year of her religious life.

She ministered in education in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Florida. She also served as a councilor for St. Dominic Province in Chicago for 6 years.

Felician Sister Joan Marie (Mary Mechtildis) Kryszak, 95, died March 7 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

She was born in Lemont, where she attended SS Cyril & Methodius School. She attended Good Counsel High School before entering the Felician Sisters in 1939. She professed final vows in 1947.

She ministered in elementary schools as a principal, teacher and tutor in Illinois, Wisconsin, and California, as well as taught in Brazil from 1970 to 1979.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Helen (1939-1940), St. John of God (1941-1947), Sacred Heart (1955- 1956), St. Linus, Oak Lawn (1956-1958), SS. Peter & Paul (1958-1964), St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates (1979-1990) and St. Turibius (1990-2008).