Kenneth Leroy Faiver

May 25, 1933 – April 11, 2023

Kenneth LeRoy Faiver, age 89, passed gently with a single breath into God’s loving arms on the morning of April 11, 2023 as he and his wife, Rosemary, were praying for blessings on the day ahead. He said with a smile that he was surrounded by those who had preceded him, that he loved us each very much, and that he would always be with us.

Born on May 25, 1933 in “The Poor People’s Hospital” in Chicago, Illinois to Kenneth Edward Faiver and Claire Ann (Kalka) Faiver, he always carried with him a sense of privilege and reverence that he had shared his humble beginnings with people of lesser means. His love for the poor and underserved defined his entire life and perspective and work as a priest and a husband, father, grandfather and friend. He saw the potential and possibilities that were too often coupled with obstacles and injustices when people did not have a voice. It was his desire to be their voice. He never stopped searching for ways to make the world better for everyone, putting his words and actions to the task at hand. He had a passion for fixing whatever was broken, in your world or the world around us. Nothing was too small or too large that couldn’t be improved. There could always be a better way.

He was ordained a priest in 1957 and served in an official capacity in the active ministry for eleven years, working primarily with the Spanish speaking communities in Michigan to improve conditions for families in the migrant labor camps as well as in the communities in which families ultimately settled. He saw the needs in every aspect of life and utilized every means possible to alleviate them. From weekly Mass in the migrant camps around the state, to educational programs for the children, to health care access for families, to meaningful employment, to a place within the community to celebrate life together. Everything and everyone mattered. As families transitioned from farm to factory and remained in the area, the needs for year-round spiritual and social support became even more critical. His vision for the development of a gathering place to address the full gamut of need within the community became the catalyst for the construction of the Cristo Rey Community Center in North Lansing.

In 1968, Ken sought permission from the Vatican to marry and remain in the ministry. Papal permission was granted, pending the endorsement of the Bishop. When that endorsement was withheld, Ken made the decision to relinquish his official standing in the ministry in exchange for companionship on the journey. In 1969, he married his wife, Rosemary. Together they continued their ministry, initially serving the homeless communities in Wisconsin, partnering with Casa Maria Hospitality House offering food and shelter for displaced individuals, families and foster children, until people could transition to a home and family of their own.

While living in the all Black community on Milwaukee’s North side they were members of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic church, participating in Civil Rights marches across the country with Dr. King and boycotts with Cesar Chavez, working to end the red-lining and unfair labor practices that oppressed and marginalized the minority communities across the country. Ken was Director of the Inner City Development Office in Milwaukee that worked to establish fair housing, employment and equal rights across the board for the city’s minority community.

Eventually, they moved back to Michigan where Ken completed a Master Degree in Labor and Industrial Relations at MSU to add to his previous two Master Degrees of Philosophy and Theology from Sacred Heart and Catholic University. He later went on to U of M to complete a PhD in Public Health while simultaneously serving as Health Care Director for the State of Michigan Department of Corrections. He spent the greater portion of the second half of his life working to improve conditions for those incarcerated in prisons in Michigan and Puerto Rico directly, and by extension for those around the country and around the world, publishing several books that he hoped would serve as guidelines for others to follow. When he needed a break from writing, he would go flying in his private plane and get up above the clouds where he said it would always give him perspective on the problems of the world below. And if the plane was not available, he would get on his Ham Radio and contact folks around the world via Morse Code, delighting in learning about their interests and culture, But even more, if he could find a child or grandchild eager for a story or a game of cards or chess, or a ballgame in the backyard, or eating pickles together, or sharing a frappuccino, or a chance to teach them about math or Greek mythology or a new language, or a conversation about the meaning of life... he was always ready for wherever their interests would take them.

God and family were the cornerstone of Ken’s life. He is survived by his loving wife, Rosemary, of 54 years, five children, Daniel Faiver (Sarah), Michelle Faiver VanDeuren (Randy), Rebecca Faiver Alfonso, Christa Faiver and Maleika Faiver and twelve grandchildren, Cameron, Lauren, Marrianna, Savannah, Caleb, Joshua, Galaxy, Isabella, Elia, Daniel, Victoria, and Calais and very many nieces and nephews and cousins whom he loved dearly, as well as his sister, Mary Therese Swanson (Denny), his sister Joan Spitzley (Alex), and brother Tom Faiver (Sue Ann) and brother-in-law John Walsh. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Claire Faiver, and his sister, Claire Faiver-Walsh. He treasured each and every one of you beyond words.

Our profound gratitude to the Doctors and Nurses and staff at the Herbert Herman Cancer Center in Lansing. Your daily unwavering attention to our every concern from the minute we were in your care even until now has been a steady guide and support. We are so very grateful. Ken’s respect for each of you was deep. And for the support of loyal friends and family, in particular Dale (you were his daily encouragement and inspiration), and Barb (for walking with us every step of the way on this journey). Thank you! There are no words big enough. He appreciated you so much. And for all who checked in on us or sent cards or joined us in prayer, thank you. It meant far more than we had energy to say.

Many have asked where they might make a donation in his name. His concern was that your donation go where it will make a difference and make the world a better place for the people living in it. He had so many thoughts. His words: “start with the children....protect the children ...children deserve to know that they are loved”. “Create a world in which they will be safe and can develop their full potential.” “Loved children grow into loving adults.”

With that as your guide, he would encourage you to each find your own place to donate to health research or to reduce hunger and poverty and create peace and justice and a future for all our children regardless of race or religion or what country they might be from.

In addition, you may consider making a donation to any of the following in Ken’s name:

Cristo Rey Church, 201 W. Miller Rd., Lansing, MI 48911

Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 High St., Lansing, MI 48906

St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Herbert Herman Cancer Center, 1140 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48912

MSU Division of Human Anatomy, http//anatomy.msu.edu/body-donation

World Central Kitchens, 200 Massachusetts Ave., 7th FI, Washington DC 20001

Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104

The Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Cristo Rey Church, 201 W. Miller Rd., Lansing, Michigan 48911. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00am -11:00am with the Rosary and Prayers at 10:30am. Mass will begin at 11:00am. Reception will follow immediately after in the Church Hall. There will not be a burial service as he has given his body to research in the Willed Body Program at MSU in the hopes of contributing to our knowledge of how to better safeguard our overall health, prevent cancer and improve the lives of all who follow us. Even before his own diagnosis, he was particularly interested in how the brain works to control every aspect of our being. Perhaps now, high above the clouds, he can help us understand.

“It takes a lot of courage to love...it takes a lot of love to live courageously.”

... Ken Faiver, 4/2/23