Longtime Chaplain of St. James Hospital Dies at 70

Raymond J. Deabel, age 70 of Chicago Heights, died April 6. Deabel served as chaplain at St. James Hospital for more than 20 years, and was an ordained minister in the Archdiocese of Chicago for 35 years.

He was married to Eveline Deabel nee Matthies and father of Lara Aprati, Sandra (Barry) Purnell, Joshua (Lisa) Deabel, Nathan (Tami) Deabel, Adam Deabel and Linda (Jerry) Ringl. Cherished grandfather of seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 17, from 3 to 9 p.m., at Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane in Dyer, Indiana. A second visitation will be held Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. at St. Kieran Catholic Church 724 195th St., in Chicago Heights.

Interment at Calvary Cemetery in Steger, Illinois. Memorials may be made to Jones Community Center, P.A.D.S. or Respond Now. Information at 708-755-6100 or www.smitsfh.com.

For the full obituary, click here.

Read more about ”SuperDeacon” Ray Deabel:

The SuperDeacon with a Garage Full of Dirt