Obituaries

A memorial Mass was celebrated Feb. 28 for Sister Eileen Gamache, CSJ, at Nazareth Living Center in south St. Louis County. Sister Eileen died Feb. 22 of pneumonia at Nazereth Living Center at age 85.

A St. Louis native, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1945 and made her final profession in 1951. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from Fontbonne College in 1967 and a master's degree in physical science from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana in 1966.

A memorial Mass was celebrated March 1 for Sister Loretta Marie Greifzu, CPPS, at St. Joseph Chapel in O'Fallon. Sister Loretta Marie died Feb. 17 at Villa Theresa Haven in O'Fallon. She was 96.

A St. Louis native, she was baptized Mary Josephine Greifzu. She entered the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of O'Fallon in 1934, making her first profession in 1937 and her final profession on Aug. 10, 1940. She earned a bachelor's degree in art from Fontbonne College in 1953 and master's degree in art from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana in 1962.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 12 for Deacon Lawrence C. Kelly at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Oakville. Deacon Kelly died Feb. 9 at age 79.

A St. Louis native, he was ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate, on June 12, 1993, by Auxiliary Bishop Edward O'Donnell.

He married the former Concette (Connie) Pullizte on Jan. 16, 1960. He served for two years in the U.S. Army, in both the tank and artillery commands, and was employed as a sales representative in pharmaceutical sales with Scherwg Plough Corp. for more than 25 years.

HANCEVILLE, Ala. (CNS) -- Deacon Bill Steltemeier, founding president of the Eternal Word Television Network and its longtime board chairman, died Feb. 15 following a lengthy illness. He was 83.

The deacon, who died at his home in Hanceville, was known to EWTN viewers around the world as a close associate of Mother Angelica, the network's foundress.

Vespers and the Divine Mercy chaplet will be Feb. 18 at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, followed by public visitation. A prayer vigil and rosary will follow.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 9 for Sister Marie Xavier Padberg in the School Sisters of Notre Dame Theresa Center chapel in south St. Louis County.

Sister Marie Xavier died Feb 6 at Anna House-The Sarah Community in Bridgeton from dementia. She was 83 and a former principal, teacher and school secretary.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, for Sister Francesca Klawinski at Mother of Perpetual Help Residence on the Cardinal Carberry campus, 7609 Watson Road in Shrewsbury.

Sister Francesca, an educator and bookkeeper for 60 years, died Jan. 3 at Mary Queen and Mother. She was 81.

A native of South Bend, Ind., she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 1950, making final vows in 1955.