Kenneth Leroy Faiver

May 25, 1933 — April 11, 2023

Kenneth L. Faiver, age 89, was called to God’s loving arms on the morning of April 11, 2023.

Kenneth was born on May 25, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to Kenneth Edward Faiver and Claire Ann Faiver.

He attended primary school at Resurrection School in Lansing, Michigan. 

He was ordained a priest in 1957 and served in the active ministry in the Diocese of Lansing for eleven years, six of them as the pastor of Cristo Rey Church in Lansing.

His vision for the development of a gathering place to address the needs within the community became the catalyst for the construction of the Cristo Rey Community Center in North Lansing where he co-directed. 

During and after this time, he was also active in the civil rights movement.

Ken was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was associate director of the Inner City Development Project in Milwaukee that worked to establish fair housing, employment and equal rights across the board for the city’s antipoverty program.

Ken was a pioneer advocate of healthcare rights for prisoners. He served as health care director for the State of Michigan Department of Corrections. He was a lead surveyor for prison and jail accreditation.

He served as Chief Medical Coordinator for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Health. 

He worked to improve conditions for those incarcerated,  publishing several articles, journals, and books that he hoped would serve as guidelines for others to follow.

He formed a small company to recruit and supply qualified health professionals for work in state prison facilities. For some of this time, he also directed a program to provide cognitive behavioral therapy and drug rehabilitation services in some Michigan jails.

Ken earned multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Latin at Catholic University, a Master’s degree in sacred theology from Catholic University, a Master’s degree in philosophy and theology from Michigan State University, a Master’s degree in public health in medical care organization from the University of Michigan, a Master’s degree in labor and industrial relations from Michigan State University, and a doctorate of public health in Health Care Administration from the University of Michigan.

He loved piloting a small airplane, operating Ham radio, learning new languages, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He always made time for playing chess or cards, reading stories, telling jokes, sharing words of wisdom, and making special memories with each of them.

God and family were the cornerstone of Ken’s life. He is survived by his wife Rosemary; five children, Daniel (Sarah McCartney) Faiver, Michelle (Randy) Van Deuren, Rebecca (Jordan) Spellman, Christa Faiver, and Maleika Faiver; twelve grandchildren, Cameron, Marrianna, Savannah, Lauren, Caleb, Joshua, Galaxy, Isabella, Daniel, Elia, Victoria, and Calais; his siblings Mary Therese (Denny) Swanson, Joan (Alex) Spitzley, and Tom (Sue Ann) Faiver and brother-in-law John Walsh; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Claire Faiver, and his sister, Claire Faiver.

The Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Cristo Rey Church, 201 West Miller Road, Lansing, Michigan. Visitation will be at the church at 9:00 a.m. with the Rosary and Prayers at 10:30 a.m. and mass at 11:00 a.m. A reception at the church will follow.

Donations can be made in Ken’s name to the following:

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

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

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/kenneth-faiver/obituary/

Copy