Father George Joseph Fekete, age 92, entered eternal life on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. Father Fekete was born on June 3, 1930, in Muskegon Heights, son of George and Helen (née Soltisz) Fekete.
Father Fekete attended Central and Sacred Heart elementary schools in Muskegon Heights; Muskegon Heights High School; St. Jerome College Seminary in Kitchener, Ontario; Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary (Norwood) in Cincinnati, Ohio; and St. John’s Seminary in Plymouth, Mich. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1965, by Bishop Allen J. Babcock at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.
In June 1965, Father Fekete was appointed parochial vicar of St. Mary in Spring Lake; in August 1970, he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Patrick in Portland; in January 1972, appointed parochial vicar of St. Isidore; in June 1975, appointed pastor of St. Philip Neri in Reed City with Mission of St. Ann in Paris; in June 1977, appointed pastor of St. Stephen; in fall of 1978, he went to Rome for a three-month study course – Continuing Theological Education; in June 1982, Father Fekete was appointed pastor of St. Mary in Big Rapids; in September 1982, appointed Dean of Big Rapids Deanery; in August 1985, appointed Associate Director of Diocesan Mission Program; in October 1989, appointed Diocesan Director of the Propagation of the Faith and the Holy Childhood Association; in July 1994, appointed pastor of St. Mary in Lowell. He was granted senior priest status on June 30, 2008.
Funeral arrangements for Father Fekete:
Visitation: Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, from 4 – 8 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m.; also Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 9-10 a.m. prior to the Mass of Christian Burial. (details below)
St. Isidore Catholic Church (628 Spring St., NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 10 a.m.
St. Isidore Catholic Church (see address above)
Bishop David Walkowiak, presiding, and Monsignor Ed Hankiewicz, homilist. Luncheon to follow.
Interment at St. Mary Cemetery in Muskegon Heights.
May Father Fekete now rest in eternal peace. Please remember him and his family in your and prayers.
View recent photos of Father Fekete (Facebook) as he earned his 2nd and 3rd degrees with the Knights of Columbus in September 2022.
