Leo Matthew Fedewa

Leo Matthew Fedewa St. Johns Leo entered into eternal life on August 7, just three weeks before his 85th birthday. He was born August 28, 1924, on a farm near Westphalia in Riley Township, the son of Joseph P. and Elizabeth R. Fedewa. Leo was a devoted lifetime member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westphalia, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He married Alberta Theis in July 1969. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta, on October 16, 2006; his parents;his sisters, Mary Smith, Odelia Thelen and Catherine VanAcker; and brothers-in-law, Alex Vitek, Joseph Smith, Gerald Thelen, Clair Thelen and John VanAcker. Surviving are his brothers, Msgr. Sylvester L. Fedewa, Fr. Matthew J. Fedewa, James (MaryAnn), Joseph (Janice); sisters, Bernita Vitek, Margaret Thelen, and Sister Joanne Fedewa, SLW; and many nieces and nephews. Leo was employed as a finish carpenter in Lansing for a number of years, using his skills to mold wood into beautiful cabinets in many Lansing and East Lansing homes. Leo also had a backhoe business and worked on many residential homes in the Clinton County Area. He also dug graves at various cemeteries for many years. Leo farmed the land that his Grandfather Fedewa farmed for many years. In his spare time, he developed the "Valley of the Pines", which was his pride and joy. This is a 12 acre plot on which his dad pastured sheep, located along Jason Road. It was a scenic and adventurous park for friends and relatives to visit and travel on his "Valley Express" wagon for the visitors enjoyed this little paradise over a 60 minute ride over hills along thousands of pine trees, abundant flowers and many religious shrines. Leo and his loving wife enjoyed staying around home and sharing their home and the "Valley of the Pines" with people from the area. The liturgy of the resurrection of Christ will be celebrated by Msgr. Sylvester Fedewa, Fr. Matthew Fedewa, Fr. Fred Thelen (nephew) and Pastor Fr. James Conlon, at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westphalia, MI. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. both Sunday and on Monday at St. Mary's Funeral Chapel, 201 N. Westphalia Street, Westphalia, MI. The Rosary will be prayed at 3 and 8 p.m. on Sunday and at 3:00 p.m. on Monday. A Scriptural Wake Service will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Monday evening. Arrangements are entrusted to Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Homes, Portland, MI. Memorial Donations may be given in Leo's name to St. Mary's Church, Westphalia, MI. The family wants to thank all who cared for our brother Leo during his illness