Issue of June 5, 2005

Fr. George C. Wiskirchen

Music teacher, band director

Congregation of the Holy Cross Father George C. Wiskirchen, 76, died May 17 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, Ind.

He was born and raised in Quincy, Ill., and attended Quincy Notre Dame High School. He pronounced his first vows with the Congregation of Holy Cross at the University of Notre Dame in 1948, graduated from the university in 1951, and was ordained in 1955.

Father Wiskirchen enjoyed playing jazz music on the trumpet, and he began his teaching career as a religion and music teacher at the then-new Notre Dame High School for Boys in Niles. He also established an award winning band program at the high school.

During his time at the high school, Father Wiskirchen earned a master’s degree in musical education from Northwestern University.

In 1972, he became a music instructor, residence hall rector and jazz band director at the University of Notre Dame.

Father Wiskirchen is survived by his brother, Joe, and a niece.

Sr. Veronica Ann Brown

Served in hospitals

Sister of Charity Veronica Ann Brown died March 11 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville, Ind. She was 68.

Born in Somerville, Mass., she entered the Daughters of Charity in 1961.

Sister Brown received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marillac College in St. Louis, Missouri, and was sent to St. Joseph Hospital in Alton, Illinois, as a Clinical Instructor in Obstetrics in 1965.

She served at hospitals in other states until she returned to Chicago in 1988 to serve at St. Joseph Hospital, where she remained until 1991. She then served as Chairman of the Board at hospitals in Indiana, Alabama and Tennessee.

Fr. John Francis Kobler

Teacher, writer

Passionist Father John Francis Kobler, 81, died May 15 at Immaculate Conception Monastery in Chicago. He had been dealing with a heart condition and diabetes for a number of years.

A Chicago native, he attended Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Five Holy Martyrs, and Our Lady of the Angels. In 1940 he began his education with the Passionist Community at the Passionist Prep Seminary in Normandy, Mo. He professed his first religious vows in 1947, continued his studies in philosophy and theology from 1947-54, and was ordained a priest in 1954.

He attended St. Louis University and received a master’s degree in Latin, and then from 1957-72 taught Passionist seminarians in Warrenton (1957-65) and in Louisville (1965-67). He wrote numerous articles published in several national magazines during his teaching career.

Father Kobler was appointed superior at Immaculate Conception Monastery in 1968. This position prodded his interest in administration, management, and finance. He served as Mission Procurator at the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Ala., for three years. In 1975 he was elected to be the superior of the Chicago monastery for another term. He also served on retreat center staffs in Cincinnati, Sierra Madre, and Detroit.

In 1983 he returned to Immaculate Conception Monastery and began his career as a researcher and writer on the Second Vatican Council.

His books and scholarly articles highlighted an appreciation and understanding of the Council documents.

His two books were “Vatican II and Phenomenology” (1985) and “Vatican II, Theophany and the Phenomenon of Man” (1991). He began a third volume but surgeries and recovery hampered his efforts. He concentrated on writing shorter essays and book reviews.

He is survived by his sister Loretta, who resides in Lemont.

John T. Doyle

Non-profit group worker

Serra International worker John T. Doyle, 78, died May 16 at RML Specialty Hospital in Hinsdale.

Born on the South Side, Mr. Doyle graduated from Quigley Preparatory High School and Loyola University. During World War II, he served at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. After the war, he worked for several insurance companies.

Mr. Doyle served as an international trustee, treasurer and member of the international programs and the finance committee of Serra International, a Catholic non-profit group.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters Mary Pat Raleigh, Jeanne Doyle Kelly, and Carol; sons John Jr., James and David; and 16 grandchildren.