Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Baptist Stohrer, 93, died Aug. 31 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Urbana, Sister Baptist made her first religious profession in 1947 and her perpetual profession in 1950.

She primarily taught music in elementary and high schools for 20 years before beginning a 40-year tenure in music at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest. She served in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Baptist taught at St. Cajetan (1947) and taught music at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest (1972-2013). She served as university ministry liturgist at Dominican University (2013-2014).

Jesuit Father Paul V. Mankowski, 66, died Sept. 3 in Evanston due to a brain hemorrhage.

Born in Indiana, he earned a degree in classics and philosophy from the University of Chicago before entering the Society of Jesus in 1976. He was ordained in 1987 and he professed final vows in 2012.

His other degrees included a master’s in classics from Oxford University, a Master of Divinity and a licentiate in sacred theology from Weston Jesuit School of Theology, and a doctorate in comparative Semitic philology from Harvard University.

Father Mankowski taught at Xavier University (1983-1984) and was a professor of Old Testament languages at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (1994-2009). He also taught at Graham School of General Studies at the University of Chicago (2010-2011).  Father Mankowski spent a year as acting pastor of Sacred Heart Church English Language Parish in Amman, Jordan, before, in 2012, becoming a scholar-in-residence at Lumen Christi Institute, University of Chicago.

Father Joseph T. Cook, 61, died Aug. 17. He was associate pastor of St. Linus, Oak Lawn.

Born in Evergreen Park, Father Cook attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary South, Niles College Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

After being ordained in 1986, he served as associate pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption and Holy Ghost, South Holland.

He was then pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption and St. Kieran, Chicago Heights, before being assigned as associate pastor of St. Linus.

Cook’s classmate and friend, Father James Presta, pastor of St. Emily, Mount Prospect, had known Father Joe since they both entered Niles College Seminary in 1978 as freshmen.

“Father Joe had a great smile and an infectious laugh, a deep, unwavering faith in the Lord and a passion for priestly ministry,” Presta said. “He has been a wonderful friend, a great classmate and brother priest to me. He will be sorely missed by his dear family and many friends, his seminary classmates and the many people whose hearts and souls he touched in parish life.”

Father William J. Costello, 82, died Aug. 23. He was a retired priest and former associate pastor of St. Eugene Parish.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Gabriel School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1964.

Father Costello was assistant pastor of St. John of the Cross, Western Springs; St. Theodore; and St. Nicholas of Tolentine. He was associate pastor of St. Christina; Holy Cross, Deerfield; Prince of Peace, Lake Villa; and St. Peter, Antioch. He last served at St. Eugene Parish before retiring in 2008.

“Father Bill loved being a priest,” said Father John Ryan, pastor emeritus at St. Dismas Parish and a classmate of Costello. “He certainly loved the people at the parishes he served. He was a true servant of the Lord, very faithful to his duties and totally dedicated to his parishes.”

Deacon Louis “Bob” DeFiore, 84, of Huntley, died Aug. 26. He was ordained in 1978 and served for many years at St. John the Evangelist, Streamwood.

Deacon DeFirore was born in Chicago and met his wife, Carol, in high school. They married in 1957.

He worked as a pipefitter and was ordained a deacon in 1978. He served first at St. Ferdinand Parish and then at St. John the Evangelist.

According to the obituary posted by DeFiore Funeral Home, “He was called to share and live out God’s word, and becoming a deacon was a perfect fit for him and a vocation that he so loved doing.”

In 2001, he was the grateful recipient of a heart transplant.

Deacon DeFiore is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Robert DeFiore, Julie Arza, Mari Kaiser and Carol Lynn DeFiore; nine grandchildren; and siblings Marlene Sylvester and Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Carol DeFiore.