Catholic New World: Newspaper for the Archdiocese of Chicago

Obituaries

Pray For Them

  • Sr. Marguerite Zralek

    EDUCATOR, PRINCIPAL

    Dominican Sister Marguerite (Etienne) Zralek, 83, died March 19 at St. Dominc Villa, Sinsinawa, Wis. A native of Chicago, Sister Marguerite made her final profession of vows in 1947. She served as an elementary and high school teacher in addition to a principal. She also served in pastoral ministry. She ministered in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marguerite served at St. Thomas the Apostle High School, Burbank, as the assistant principal from 1962-66, as principal from 1966-72, and taught English from 1962-78. In addition, she ministered as a hospital chaplain at the University of Chicago Medical Center, 1980-81; as a pastoral minister at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, 1981-95; in pastoral care at Trinity Convent, River Forest, and as a writer for several Catholic publications, 1995-2001. She also served in preliminary social assessment at The Chicago Lighthouse, and served as a reader to the blind at the Blind Service Association, 2001-05. Sister Marguerite volunteered with the Blind Service Association from 2005-06.

  • Sr. Robert Mary Wilke

    EDUCATOR, PRINCIPAL

    Dominican Sister Robert Mary Wilke, 85, died March 20 at the Motherhouse in Sinsinawa, Wis. Sister Robert Mary made her final profession of vows in 1944. She served as an elementary s c h o o l teacher and principal for 44 years. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and the District of Columbia. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Basil, 1941-46; and St. Giles in Oak Park, 1984-91. She also served as a reading consultant for the archdiocesan education office from 1964-69.

  • Deacon Michael Sharwarko

    SERVED IN OAK LAWN

    Deacon Michael Sharwarko, 85, died March 17. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he was a member of the 1978 diaconate class and served at St. Louis de Montfort Church in Oak Lawn.

    At the parish he organized a food pantry. Deacon Sharwarko received the Sertoma Man of the Year award in 1992 for his community service.

    Deacon Sharwarko was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Mary. He was the father of three daughters, eight sons, 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

  • Sr. Ann Marie Conway

    EDUCATOR/PROVINCIAL

    Dominican Sister Ann Marie Conway, 77, died March 1 at St. Dominic Villa in Sinsinawa, Wis. Sister Ann Marie made her final profession of vows in 1959. She served in Illinois, Wisconsin and New York. She was a college admissions director for 16 years, provincial for the congregation for four years and a pastoral associate for 13 years. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Thomas More from 1956-60.

  • Sr. Bernadette Harrison

    NATIVE CHICAGOAN/TEACHER

    Benedictine Sister Bernadette (Josephine Bernadette) Harrison, 93, died April 2. A native of Chicago, Sister Bernadette attended Queen of Angels Parish Elementary School and St. Scholastica Academy. She entered St. Scholastica Monastery after graduating from high school.

    She earned a bachelor's degree from DePaul University and later earned a certificate in theology from Saint Xavier University.

    Sister Bernadette taught at several elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, including St. Hilary, St. Joseph, Queen of All Saints, Mother of God in Waukegan, St. Lambert in Skokie, and St. George, where she also served as principal.

    She also taught history and anthropology at St. Scholastica Academy in Chicago. She also frequently conducted Communion services at Westwood Nursing Home in West Rogers Park.

  • Sr. Caroline Kuk

    EDUCATOR, DRE

    School Sister of St. Francis Caroline Kuk, 88, died April 6 at St. Joseph Convent in Campbellsport, Wis. Born in Aurora, she entered the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1936 and professed vows in 1938. Sister Caroline served in Wisconsin, Illinois and Mississippi.

    In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Nicholas School (1945-64), where she was also principal (1964-67). She also taught at St. Catherine Laboure School in Glenview (1967-71) and St. Anne School in Barrington (1971-75). She was director of religious education at St. Anne in Barrington from 1975-81.

  • Sr. Marion Michalak

    RELIGIOUS ED COORDINATOR

    Dominican Sister Marion (Mary Thomasella) Michalak, 74, died April 4 in Adrian, Mich. She served as an educator for 23 years in Michigan and California. She also served as director of religious education, pastoral minister and youth minister. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served as religious education coordinator at St. Ann in Lansing from 1983-89.

  • Fr. Walter Krolikowski

    FORMER LOYOLA UNIV. DEAN

    Jesuit Father Walter Krolikowski, former professor and dean at Loyola University Chicago, died April 11. Father Krolikowski was born in Chicago and attended St. Rose of Lima grade school, St. Ignatius College Prep and Chicago Teachers College. He joined the army in 1943 and served in World War II until 1946.

    Father Krolikowski entered the Jesuits in 1946 and was ordained in 1957. He earned a master's in education, Licentiate in Philosophy, Licentiate in Sacred Theology and doctorate in philosophy of education. From 1958-63 he served as assistant dean at Xavier University in Cincinnati.

    In 1963, Father Krolikowski joined Loyola University Chicago, where he served for 43 years. He was named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Loyola in 1964. He also taught in the School of Education until 2006, when he retired to the Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Mich.

  • Fr. Norbert Zawistanowicz

    PASTOR EMERITUS

    Father Norbert J. Zawistanowicz, 83, pastor emeritus of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish died April 9 at Our Lady of the Resurrection Hospital in Chicago. He had been an active retired resident at Our Lady of Victory Church. Bishop Thad Jakubowski was the main celebrant at an April 14 funeral Mass at Our Lady of Victory Church.

    A native of Moline, his family moved to Chicago, where he attended St. Wenceslaus Elementary School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

    Father Zawistanowicz was ordained a priest in 1949, and celebrated his first solemn Mass at St. Wenceslaus Church. He served as assistant pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (1949-66), St. Joseph Parish, on the near South Side (1966-73) and St. Turibius Parish (1973-75). He was also assistant pastor at St. Richard Parish (1975-77).

    Father Zawistanowicz served on the Archdiocesan School, Priest Placement and Pastor Review Boards, and as director of the Archdiocese's Department of Research and Planning. From 1977 until his retirement in 1993, he served as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.

  • Fr. Thomas J. Fitzgerald

    PASTOR EMERITUS

    Father Thomas J. Fitzgerald, pastor emeritus of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 89, died April 7 at St. Benedict Home, Niles, of heart failure. Bishop Timothy Lyne was the main celebrant at an April 12 funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle. A native of Chicago, Father Fitzgerald was baptized at St. Columbanus Parish. He attended St. Columbanus Elementary School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/ Mundelein Seminary. He also enrolled in postgraduate studies at Mundelein Seminary. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1942.

    From 1950-55, Father Fitzgerald served as a pro-synodal judge on the Archdiocese's Metropolitan Tribunal. He served as assistant pastor at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish from 1944-68. He was pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish from 1968 until his retirement in 1987. He continued to live at St. Thomas the Apostle as a senior priest until moving to St. Benedict Home in 2001.

  • Deacon Abrom Salley

    FOUNDER OF ZACCHAEUS HOUSE

    Deacon Abrom Salley, co-founder of Zacchaeus House, died April 6 at St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island. Zacchaeus House was founded in 1999 and served as a transitional home for men. Deacon Salley lived in residence at Zacchaeus House. Deacon Salley was a member of the 2002 diaconate class.

    Bishop Joseph Perry was the main celebrant at an April 14 funeral Mass at St. Philip Neri Church. Deacon Salley is survived by his children, Abrom and Stephanie, five grandchildren and several brothers and sisters.

  • Sr. M. Ellen Paul Schultz

    EDUCATOR

    A funeral Mass was held April 1 for Sister of St. Joseph M. Ellen Paul Schultz. Sister M. Ellen recently celebrated 70 years of religious life. She ministered as a teacher, principal and accountant. She served at St. Hugh in Lyons, St. Barbara in Brookfield, and Mt. Carmel in Melrose Park.