Jesuit Father M. Joseph Casey, 82, died March 8. He was a Jesuit for more than 60 years.

Born in Evanston, he ministered in education in Indianapolis and Chicago. He was an associate pastor in Ohio and, later in life, superior at Colombiere Center in Michigan.

Father Joe had three great loves in his life: Jesus (and the Society of Jesus), teaching French and playing bridge. His jovial attitude, wide smile and care for others helped him to make friends easily, according to obituary information from the Jesuits. His dedication and attention to others helped him to maintain great friendships throughout his life.

Sister of the Living Word Grace Edith Rief, 94, died March 14 in Chicago.

Born in Minnesota in 1924, Sister Grace made her final vows in 1949. She was a Sister of the Living Word for 44 years, and previously a member of the Sisters of Christian Charity. She taught in schools in Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana and Michigan. She was a devoted elementary school teacher for just short of 50 years, and she continued as a tutor and ESL teacher for another five years. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Gregory; St. Aloysius; St. Isaac Jogues, Niles; St. Raphael; St. Juliana; St. Ita; and St. Jerome.

Sister Grace spent her last years at Resurrection Life Center, where she served in the ministry of prayer and presence.

Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Ellen (Brendan Mary) Plummer, 72, died March 25 in Adrian, Michigan.

A Detroit native, she was in the 54th year of her religious life.

She ministered in Illinois, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina and Texas.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Ellen taught at St. Mary Star of the Sea (1965-1968) and Queen of Apostles, Riverdale (1968-1971).

She is survived by two brothers: John and William Plummer; and four sisters: Elizabeth Presley, Margaret Plummer, Catherine Gatto and Virginia Plummer.

Adrian Dominican Sister Maureen (Shaun Paul) Fenlon, 75, died March 27 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 60th year of her religious life.

She ministered in Illinois; Florida; California; North Carolina; Massachusetts; New York; Washington, D.C.; and Louisiana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Rita (1960-1963); Santa Maria Del Popolo, Mundelein (1963-1965); St. Joseph, Homewood (1965-1967); and Queen of Apostles, Riverdale (1967-1970).

She is survived by a sister, Shauna McCormick, and two brothers, Dennis and Paul Fenlon.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Katherine (Marie Bernarde) Connell, 79, died March 29 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Detroit, Sister Mary Kay made her first religious profession in 1959 and her perpetual profession of vows in 1964. She taught, was a pastoral minister and guidance counselor, and was a support staff member.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Kay taught at Visitation (1966-1972, 1973-1976). She served as a caregiver in the Schaumburg area (2000-2001), and ministered at Maryville Academy sites in Bartlett and Des Plaines as a youth care worker (2001-2006); as receptionist and switchboard operator, (2006-2008); and in the archives (2008-2009).

She is survived by a sister, Anne Osten.

Providence Sister Marie Paul (Mary Mardelle) Haas, 91, died March 30 in Chicago.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1945 and professed final vows in 1953.

She ministered as a music teacher in schools in California, North Carolina, Indiana and Illinois. Her specialty was string instruments. She continued this ministry until months before her death, giving private and group lessons to students in the Chicago area.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Francis Borgia Parish from 1963 until shortly before she died.

Sister Marie Paul is survived by a brother, Paul R. Haas.

Father William J. Lisowski, 95, died March 7 at Holy Family Villa in Palos Park. He was a retired pastor of St. Ladislaus Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Lisowski attended St. John of God School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1950.

He was assistant pastor at St. Mary Magdalene; St. Blase, Argo; Holy Innocents; and St. Salomea. He was pastor at St. Helen and at St. Ladislaus, where he retired in 1993.

Father Leon R. Wagner, 94, died March 7. He was the retired pastor of St. Mary Parish, Riverside.

Born in Evanston, he attended St. Joseph School, Wilmette; Quigley Preparatory Seminary; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, before being ordained in 1949.

Father Wagner was assistant pastor at St. Anthony of Padua; St. Joseph, Waukegan; St. Matthias; St. John Brebeuf, Niles; Divine Infant Jesus, Westchester; and Queen of All Saints Basilica. In 1975, he was assigned as pastor at St. Mary, Riverside, where he served until his retirement.

Father Michael A. Goergen, 82, died March 8. He was pastor emeritus of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Goergen attended St. John Bosco School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1962.

He was assistant pastor at St. Eulalia, Maywood; Queen of All Saints Basilica; and Queen of the Universe. He was associate pastor of St. Christina, and in 1982 he was assigned as pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine. In 1995, he was assigned as pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine, where he served until retirement.

Deacon John Mellon, 85, died Feb. 4 in Evanston. He was ordained in 1985 and served at St. Nicholas Parish in Evanston.

Deacon Mellon had worked as an English professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He was married to his late wife, Mary Gael, for more than 40 years.

He is survived by his children Christina, Elizabeth Jane and John Mellon.