Father Donald Joseph Ahearn, 91, died Jan. 1 after a brief stay in hospice at St. Benedict Nursing and Rehab Center, Niles. He was pastor emeritus of St. Juliana Parish.

Born in Chicago, he attended Presentation B.V.M. School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained by Cardinal Samuel Stritch in 1951.

Father Ahearn served as assistant pastor at St. Gertrude, Franklin Park (1951-1959); St. Barbara, Brookfield (1959-1966); St. David (1966-1970); All Saints (1973-1974); and Our Lady of Ransom, Niles (1974-1975). He was administrator and pastor of St. Nicholas (State Street) (1970-1973) and administrator of Holy Rosary Slovak Parish (1973). He was named pastor of St. Juliana in 1975, and served in that capacity until he retired in 1995 and was named pastor emeritus.

Father Ahearn also served as chaplain of St. Patrick High School, as a member of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Review Board and School Board Advisory Committee, and as assistant vicar for senior priests.