The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis will honor 8 jubilarians during a July 23rd celebration at the motherhouse in Oldenburg. Morning Prayer, the Jubilee Mass, dinner and a reception will be special events for the senior sisters.

Sister Patty Campbell is being honored for 80 years in religious life, having entered community September 8, 1943 and having made final profession August 12, 1949.

Sisters Jean Michael Sauntry and Marie Cecile DiTullio celebrate 75 years in community. They entered in September 1948 and professed final vows on August 12, 1954.

Four Sisters mark 60 years as Oldenburg Franciscans. Sister Jan Kroeger entered September 8, 1963 and made final vows August 12, 1969. Sister Jacquelyn McCracken entered September 8, 1963 and made final vows August 12, 1971. Sister Diane Mersch entered February 2, 1964 and made final vows August 15, 1971. Sister Elaine Merkel entered February 2, 1964 and made final vows January 1, 1972.

Sister Marge Wissman celebrates 40 years as an Oldenburg Franciscan. She entered community on August 2, 1983 and professed final vows on July 2, 1989.

Sister Patty Campbell (formerly Sister Suzanne) is a native of Dayton. She served in the archdiocese as a teacher at St. Aloysius School in Bridgetown and at St. Peter Parish in Chillicothe as pastoral associate. Sister also ministered in Oklahoma and Indiana. Sister now resides at the motherhouse in St. Clare Healthcare Facility and ministers by prayer and presence.

Sister Jean Michael Sauntry is a native of Newton, Iowa. Sister served in the archdiocese at St. Bernard School, Winton Place. She also ministered in Catholic schools in Missouri and Illinois and as a missionary in Papua New Guinea.
She is now a resident of St. Clare Healthcare Facility where she ministers by prayer and presence.

Sister Marie Cecile DiTullio is a native of Cincinnati. She ministered in the archdiocese as teacher and organist at St. Peter, Chillicothe; St. Aloysius, Bridgetown; St Peter, Hamilton; and St. Leo, St. Pius, St. Bartholomew, St. Catherine in Cincinnati. Sister also ministered in schools and hospitals in Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and Florida. She now resides in St. Clare Healthcare Facility and ministers by prayer and presence.

Sister Jan Kroeger is a native of Cincinnati. In the archdiocese Sister worked in schools Sacred Heart in Fairfield; at St. James in White Oak, at St. Joseph Orphanage and McNicholas High School in Cincinnati. She also ministered to Sisters in assisted living at Mount St. Joseph. Sister has also served in Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri. Sister Jan now resides at Oldenburg and is involved in motherhouse ministry.

Sister Jacquelyn McCracken (formerly Sister Ancilla) is from Indianapolis. Sister taught at St. Catherine, Westwood. She has also ministered in schools, and non-profit and service organizations in Indiana. She currently lives in Indianapolis and serves as a consultant for clients with disabilities.

Sister Diane Mersch (formerly Sister Mercita) is a native of Cincinnati. In the archdiocese Sister taught at Fenwick High School in Middletown and Badin High School in Hamilton. She has served as social worker and tutor at Corryville Catholic School and St. Lawrence School. Sister also ministered in social work in Dayton and Cincinnati. Sister taught in Catholic schools in Indiana as well. She now resides in St. Clare Healthcare Facility and ministers by prayer and presence.

Sister Elaine Merkel (formerly Sister Jolene) is a Cincinnati native. In the archdiocese she has ministered as chaplain at Mercy Western Hills Hospital and at Mother Margaret Hall, Mount St. Joseph. Sister taught in Catholic schools in Illinois and Indiana, where she also served parishes as director of religious education and pastoral associate. Sister recently moved to the motherhouse where she continues to minister where needed.

Sister Marge Wissman is from Covington, KY. She has ministered as teacher and principal in Catholic schools in Indiana and Kentucky where she also was a pastoral worker. She has served the Sisters of Saint Francis as vocation director and director of justice, peace and integrity of creation. She continues to do ministry in the Batesville, Indiana area where she currently resides.