Rev. William L. Zwiefka
Deceased: 2010-04-18
Diocese: GAYLORD
CSM Graduation Year: 1987
Reverend William Lewis Zwiefka, 53, entered eternal life on Sunday, April 18, 2010.
Fr. Bill was born June 29, 1956 in Manistee, Michigan to William and Patricia (Osborn) Zwiefka. He attended Jefferson, Oak Hill and Guardian Angels Elementary Schools and was a graduate of Manistee Catholic Central High School. He attended Michigan State University and then St. Meinrad Seminary College in Indiana where he received his B.A. degree in Classical Languages. He continued his preparation for the priesthood and attained his Master of Divinity degree from St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, MI. He was ordained to the priesthood on November 25, 1983 by the Most Reverend Robert J. Rose, Bishop of Gaylord, at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord.
After his ordination, Father Zwiefka served as Presbyteral Intern for St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord and the Associate Pastor for the parishes of St. Mary Cathedral, Holy Redeemer in Vanderbilt and St. Thomas Aquinas in Elmira. In 1985 he studied Canon Law in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University. After receiving his J.C.L. he served as Administrative Assistant to the Bishop for Ordinary Administration and Canonical Affairs and as Adjutant Judicial Vicar in the Tribunal. In 1988 he became the Presbyteral Moderator to the Pastoral Administrator and Sacramental Moderator for Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Tawas City. He was appointed Judicial Vicar of the Diocesan Tribunal on March 15, 1989 for a six-year term and was relieved as Administrative Assistant to the Bishop. His appointment as Judicial Vicar was later extended to June 30, 1996.
Fr. Bill became the Pastor for St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Mancelona and Sacramental Moderator for St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Bellaire in 1991. In 1997 he was appointed as Pastor for St. Joseph Parish in Manistee and as a Judge and Defender of the Bond in the Tribunal.
In August, 2005 Fr. Bill was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and fought an inspirational and courageous battle, graciously accepting his suffering through treatments and other conditions that followed until his death.
