Rev. Fr. John A. Ederer

1942 - 2021

Ederer, Rev. Fr. John A. Saginaw, Michigan Father John Ederer, a senior priest of the Diocese of Saginaw, died on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. He served as a priest for more than 44 years. Father Ederer was known for his commitment to Catholic education and his love for Catholic liturgy. He passionately celebrated the sacraments in both the Ruthenian Byzantine and Latin Rites. Before he was ordained a priest, Father John was a Franciscan friar and also served as a Catholic school teacher within the Capuchin community. The son of the late Bernard and Ann (Makl) Ederer, Father Ederer was born on Feb. 3, 1942 in Saginaw. He attended Carr Public Schools in James Twp. and Ss. Peter and Paul School in Saginaw. He received his secondary education at St. Lawrence Seminary in Mount Calvary, Wis. Father Ederer continued his priestly formation at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids and Capuchin Seminary of St. Mary (St. Joseph College), where he graduated with a degree in philosophy, and at Catholic University of America where he graduated with a degree in theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 22, 1977 by Bishop Francis Reh at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Saginaw. Father Ederer served as pastor at St. Joseph, Argyle; St. Ignatius, Frieberg; St. Joseph the Worker, Beal City; St. Paul the Apostle, Ithaca; St. Martin de Porres, Perrinton; St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Vassar and St. Joseph, Mayville. He served as assistant pastor at St. Andrew in Saginaw; St. Stanislaus Kostka, Bay City; St. Michael, Maple Grove and St. Mary, Albee. He ministered as a transitional deacon at St. Matthew, Zilwaukee and St. Andrew, Saginaw. Father Ederer became a senior priest of the Diocese of Saginaw on June 1, 2006. Surviving are five siblings, Carol Wasielewski, Vassar; Bernard (Judy) Ederer, Saginaw; Sr. Dorothy Ederer, O.P., Lansing; Jeanne Murphy Causley, Saginaw; Geralyn (Joe) Navarre, Grand Rapids; seven nieces and nephews, Eugene and Edward Wasielewski, Cheri Martin, David Ederer, Colleen Galacz, Jenny Hlavac and John Murphy. Fr. John was preceded in death by his sister, Julie Hancock; his brothers-in-law, Bob Wasielewski and Greg Causley. Visitation and funeral times this week are as follows: Visitation and Parastas on Wednesday Visitation will take place on Wednesday Sept. 29th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. George Byzantine Church, 204 N. Van Buren St., Bay City. Parastas ("Standing service") will begin at 7 p.m. Father James Batcha will preside. Visitation on Thursday Visitation will take place on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Dominic Parish, Ss. Peter and Paul Church, 4735 W. Michigan Ave., Saginaw. Funeral Mass and Visitation on Friday Father Ederer's Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. (visitation begins at 9:30 a.m) at St. Dominic Parish, Ss. Peter and Paul Church, 4735 W. Michigan Ave. , Saginaw. The Most Rev. Robert D. Gruss, Bishop of Saginaw, will preside and Father Frank Voris, O.F.M. Cap., will be the homilist. Priests of the Diocese of Saginaw will concelebrate the funeral Mass. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Andrew Cemetery in Saginaw. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to a charity of their choice.