DETROIT — Fr. J. Walter Stanievich took an interest in his parishioners and got to know them, said Deacon George Posavetz of St. Mark Parish, Warren, where Fr. Stanievich was pastor from 1970 until retirement in 1991.

“He was a real people person, and it was he who encouraged me to become a permanent deacon,” continued Deacon Posavetz, who added that he and Fr. Stanievich also bowled together every week for many years.

But his former pastor was also a great reader, which made for many interesting conversations, he said.
An example of Fr. Stanievich’s pastoral dedication, Deacon Posavetz added, was that he never refused to make a hospital visit, even in the middle of the night.

Joseph Walter Stanievich was born Feb. 3, 1920, in Detroit to Joseph and Ezabele (Cibas) Stanievich. He attended St. George (Lithuanian) Grade School and Detroit Catholic Central High School, then went on to study for the priesthood at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, from which he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Norwood, Ohio, where he earned a Master of Divinity.

He was ordained Oct. 26, 1946, after which he served as assistant pastor of St. Clement Parish, Center Line (1946-51); St. Patrick Parish, Wyandotte (1951-54); Holy Innocents, Roseville (1954-59); and, briefly, at St. Vincent Parish in Detroit (1959).

Fr. Stanievich was named pastor of St. Anthony (Lithuanian) Parish in southwest Detroit, where he served 1959-70, and during which time he was also administrator of St. Peter (Lithuanian) Parish, also in southwest Detroit.

In 1970 he was named pastor of St. Mark Parish, Warren, where he served until 1991, after which he was granted senior priest status.

Fr. Stanievich is survived by many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 9 at St. Mark Church, Warren. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.

Condolences may be sent to George Stanievich, 8149 Robinson, Allen Park 48101.