Deacon James Sanford, 78, died Dec. 22. He was ordained in 1986 and served at St. Emily Parish, Mount Prospect.

Deacon Sanford served in the U.S. Army and was a lithographer for almost 40 years. Beginning in 1992, he served as a pastoral associate at St. Emily.

He is survived by his wife, LaVerne; his children Theresa Reppen, Catherine Sikyta, James Sanford Jr. and Mary Okragly; and his grandchildren Shannon, Rebecca, Connor, Matthew, Ashley, Melanie, Joseph and Savannah.