Father Raymond J. Tillrock, 82, died April 27. He was pastor emeritus of St. Barnabas Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Tillrock attended St. Rita High School, Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before he was ordained in 1969.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Francis Xavier, Wilmette, and was on the faculty of Niles College Seminary from 1974 to 1979. Later, Father Tillrock served as associate pastor at St. Mary of Celle, Berwyn, and pastor of St. Barnabas Parish. In addition, he was a long-serving board member of the Priests’ Retirement and Mutual Aid Association. He retired in 2003.  

“He was a very important member of our group (of classmates),” said Father William Zavaski, a classmate of Father Tillrock. “He was a great sailor — he was sailing until this past year.”

Zavaski described Father Tillrock as “a fun person to be with, very kind and loving,” and remembered how much his classmate loved his dog Barney, a close companion for years.

Father Kilian J. Knittel, 88, pastor emeritus of St. Columba Parish, died April 30.

Born in Cicero, Father Knittel attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein before being ordained in 1960.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Louis de Montfort Parish, Oak Lawn; Resurrection Parish (Jackson Street) and St. Jerome Parish. He was associate pastor of St. Hilary; St. Edward; Our Lady of the Wayside, Arlington Heights; Our Lady of Grace; and St. Joseph, Homewood. He later served as pastor of St. Columba Parish for 10 years.

Father Knittel also served as chaplain for the Apostleship of the Sea in Port Everglades, Florida.

Father Daniel P. Coughlin, former director of the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein, remembered that his classmate loved being a priest and served with joy. “People would open their hearts to him about their lives and their issues,” Coughlin said. “He loved listening to them.”

Sister Virginia (Agneta) Ripp, 89, died April 18 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Virginia made her first religious profession in 1958 and her perpetual profession in 1961. She taught and served in administrative and secretarial work in Wisconsin, Illinois and Texas.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Trinity High School, River Forest.

She is survived by four sisters: Margaret Ripp, Elaine Saber, Nancy Scripko and Gail Thoreson.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Rosa Rauth, 96, died April 21 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Oak Park, Sister Rosa made her first religious profession in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953.

She taught music and math for 40 years in schools. Sister Rosa taught some form of music, especially piano and vocal, her entire adult life. She also served as a registrar, in transportation and as a director of music   ministry.

She served in South Dakota, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota.