Viatorian Father Robert Erickson, 75, died Jan. 15 at Alden Estates of Evanston. Born in Springfield, Illinois, he made his first vows in Arlington Heights in 1959 and was ordained in 1967.

He taught at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1967-1973) before serving as a teacher and administrator at other high schools in Illinois. In 1994, he returned to the Archdiocese of Chicago to serve as treasurer of the Viatorian Province of Chicago. After his retirement in 2010, he continued to minister at Holy Family, Inverness, and other parishes in Arlington Heights area.

He also served as a retreat director, leader of Scripture studies and spiritual director.

He is survived by his brother Thomas Erickson.

Deacon Raymond Ward, 65, died Jan. 15. He was ordained in 1989 and served at St. Jerome Parish.

He worked as sound man for Chicago’s Wilderness Road and other bands.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, his children Raymond, Joanna, Nathaniel, Elizabeth and Kathleen Ward; grandchildren Evelyn and Liliana Ward; and siblings Donna Ward, Mark Ward, Andrea Johnston, Paula Ward and Matthew Ward.

Father Robert George Herne, 93, died Jan. 14. He was pastor emeritus of Our Lady of the Brook Parish, Northbrook, and was recently a resident at the Bishop Timothy J. Lyne Residence for Retired Priests in Palos Park.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Columbanus School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1947.

Father Herne served as assistant pastor at St. Celestine, Elmwood Park (1947-1952); Holy Name Cathedral (1952-1960); St. Joseph, Wilmette (1960-1964); and St. Richard (1964-1968). He was pastor of Our Lady of the Brook Parish (1968-1991), and was named pastor emeritus there. Before moving to the Bishop Lyne Residence, he was a resident of Sacred Heart Parish, Palos Hills.

Because of his great devotion to the Blessed Mother, Father Herne was an active member of the Legion of Mary throughout most of his life as a priest.

Dominican Father George John Dominic Reynolds, 84, died Jan. 13 at Resurrection Life Center in Chicago.

Born in Chicago, he attended Ascension School, Oak Park, and St. Eulalia School, Maywood.

After attending one year of high school at Quigley Preparatory Seminary, he transferred to Fenwick High School in Oak Park, graduating in 1948.

He studied at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, for two years before entering the Dominican Order in 1951. He professed his first vows in 1952 and was ordained in 1959.

Father Reynolds taught high school at Fenwick and in Texas. He also served in pastoral ministry of parishes and Newman Centers in Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Louisiana, Georgia and Wisconsin. In 2014, Father Reynolds moved to Chicago and lived at St. Pius V Priory on limited service.

He is survived by two sisters, Margaret Sallade and Sandy deBlaker.

Adrian Dominican Sister Ruth Anne (Mary Ralph) Kelly, 77, died Jan. 10 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Michigan, she was in the 61st year of her religious profession. She ministered in elementary and secondary education for 44 years in Illinois and Michigan.

She taught at Queen of Angels (1955-1956) and St Celestine, Elmwood Park (1956-1967)

Sister Ruth Anne is survived by a brother, Francis P. Kelly Jr., and sisters: Margaret Rose Kelly, Barbara Kelly and Patricia Kelly.