Stanley Christopher Fedewa

Stan Fedewa, 75, of Lansing, MI, died peacefully on August 3, 2014, his loving wife, Marilyn, at his side. He was born to Norm and Agnes (Murphy) Fedewa on April 3, 1939, in Lansing.

Stan was well known across the state, as well as in the nation’s banking industry. He completed his public career as president of The Chamberlain Organization, which he formed in 1991 with Eugene Kuthy. Michigan Banker magazine credited the firm, among other things, with the “novel task of arranging the installation of banking offices in supermarkets.”  Stan had earlier served as executive director of the state’s Financial Institutions Bureau.

A 1957 graduate of Lansing’s St. Mary’s High School, Stan earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Notre Dame in 1962 and, later, a master’s degree in journalism and American history from Michigan State University (1965). While at Notre Dame, he was a founder and inaugural chairperson of the Council for International Lay Apostolate, which he described as a “Catholic Peace Corps developed in the increasing fervor of the civil rights movement, and in the fresh air of Pope John’s papacy.” In 2011, the President of Notre Dame, Rev. John I. Jenkins, acknowledged Stan’s lifetime public contributions with a special citation in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of his graduation.

Upon leaving Notre Dame in January 1962, Stan entered the United States Army officer corps. He served as First Lieutenant in charge of transportation at Fort Ord, California, in 1962 and 1963, during which time each of his lovely daughters were born.

Upon his return to Lansing in 1963, Stan joined the Michigan Catholic Conference as a chief assistant to director Francis “Jerry” Coomes where he worked on various issues including: job-training centers for the unemployed; housing, health and education for migrant workers, and; fair housing and education for minority populations.  Later, he was appointed executive director of the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools, representing nearly 1,000 non-public Catholic, Lutheran and Jewish school and their students.

In the 1970s, Stan was appointed chief of staff to Speaker William A. Ryan leaving this position during the term of Speaker Bobby Crim to pursue a course of study in Europe. It was during this training that Stan and Marilyn met, fell in love and, subsequently, married (in 1977). Shortly thereafter, Stan served as vice president of Communicraft, a Los Angeles-based public relations firm.

Stan returned to Lansing in 1983 to work in the administration of Governor James J. Blanchard, serving in the Commerce Department and, later, as the Governor’s director of federal and state legislative relations before moving to the Financial Institutions Bureau.

In 2003, Stan and Marilyn co-authored the biography of renowned Michigan Republican leader, the late State Senator Emil Lockwood. In describing this Man in Motion, Stan highlighted Lockwood’s statesmanship for “orchestrating passage of Michigan’s Fair Housing Act, as well as many other laws seeking justice.”

Stan’s family and his many friends remember him as a completely and uniquely disciplined and dignified, competent and compassionate, loyal and loving man who will be deeply missed.  Surviving Stan are his wife Marilyn and daughters Kristine P. (Harry) Scarff and Mary-Ellen (Rupert) Wyard, granddaughter Charlotte Scarff, grandson Ben Wyard, brother Lawrence (Theresa) Fedewa, sister Madonna Fedewa, nieces and nephews Kirsten Fedewa, Eric (Ritika) Fedewa, John (Nirali) Fedewa, Scott (Katherine) Fedewa, Jonathan (Carie) Fedewa, sister-in-law MaryAnn (Douglas) Heh, nephews Christopher (Audrey) Heh, Michael (Karmi) Heh, Jeffrey (Corinne) Heh, and Steven (Amy) Heh, as well as a host of loving great-nieces and nephews, Fedewa and Murphy cousins, relatives, and friends.

The family will receive friends at Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel (325 W. Washtenaw) on Monday, August 18 from 5-7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John Catholic Church and Student Center, East Lansing (327 M.A.C. Avenue, East Lansing) at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, August 19, following a brief viewing at the church at 10 A.M. After the Mass, burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lansing. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation.

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11 Messages to “Stanley Christopher Fedewa

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Walt Sorg
August 8, 2014 at 10:10 am

Stan was one of the first people I met when I started covering state government back in the late 60s. He was always gracious, friendly, helpful and generally a great person. Over the years he became a trusted friend and confident. I will miss him tremendously.

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BRIAN SULLIVAN
August 9, 2014 at 8:11 pm

Stan has been and always will be my good friend. Since our years at the University Notre Dame (1957 to 1961), we have been friends for over 57 years. We have kept this relationship over the years. I recently received the sad news, from his dear wife Marilyn that he passed away. I am so very sorry for your loss Marilyn. Stan was a great person, and we will miss him.

Brian Sullivan, Shrewsbury, MA

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Richard Cole
August 13, 2014 at 9:49 pm

Michigan lost a great man and I lost a great friend with the passing of Stan Fedewa. Stan’s career spanned five decades of leadership in Michigan beginning with his work in the 60’s in the Michigan Catholic Conference social justice movement and ending with a successful partnership with Gene Kuthy advising banks. In the interim, Stan served two speakers of the house as chief of staff and managed legislative affairs for Governor Blanchard. He is truly one of those rare people of whom it can be said that whenever he had a choice in life of being right or being kind, Stan chose kind.

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Marti and Bill Heil
August 15, 2014 at 8:41 am

Marilyn our loving thoughts and prayers are with you and we know how much you will miss Stan! Love to you, Marti and Bill Heil

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Bob Carr
August 15, 2014 at 10:19 am

It was a privilege to know Stan. I was an admirer of his consummate professionalism and dedication to craft of good, honorable politics.

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Constance Mettler
August 16, 2014 at 3:37 pm

What a guy! Always smiling, always kind, always loving, always fun and helpful. Being around Stan was always a treat. Interested and interesting, ready for new ideas and supporting you in yours. Ever seeking for something better for others. Truly one of the lights in my life. My heart fills up with joy when I think of him.

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Sandy Wicker
August 17, 2014 at 11:43 am

Stanley Christopher Fedewa. Sensational…Creative…Forward thinking. His accomplishments centered around the importance of “order.” Stan would easily conform to the moment of joy, surprise and laughter. He would displace all order to enjoy that moment. I will miss him, his approachable personality, and his “bear hugs.” my prayers and love are with Marilyn and all of the family.

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Carolyn & Roger Manning
August 17, 2014 at 9:58 pm

Dear Marilyn & Family & Friends; I best remember Stan, Larry, Phil, Norm & Agnes, during my boyhood days. Especially at the John & Martha Bohr Farm. Also, the Farm on West Saginaw St. Politics were likely on the agenda. Especially when Clarence & Romilda Manning, were also present. Here is hoping that Stan found himself in heaven, one half hour, before the devil knew, “the Stanley,” was already inside the pearly gates!
Roger “Dodger” Manning

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Norma Bauer
August 19, 2014 at 3:30 pm

So kind of you to think of me in this, your hour of most intense grief! Chris is free of his limited body now, shining in the next phase and always with you, always with all the love he ever had and appreciation for your loving, tender ways. May his daughters and the rest of the family fill your mind with fond memories of this special, special person. How I wish there were anything I could say to comfort you except to share my own experience that life does go on, and one day, we will surely join our beloved, late husbands. At Pilgrim, we just hosted a nationally-famous author who spoke of his near-death experience and we also studied research on folks from every belief system around the planet, and how their near-death experiences shared many commonalities. It was very comforting and touched many hearts. May your faith sustain you! Hoping we can meet again when all the hubbub and all the hardest decisions are over with. If I can help you sort things through or simply listen as you process your life together, I am available any time, any day. Really! My phone is at my bedside and I often experience insomnia so if it rings at 3 a.m., I am here for you. I mean it, dear friend. Wishing you peace of mind and a good, long rest so you can recover from all the kind and gentle caregiving you so lovingly rendered for so long, and would be willing to do more of, no doubt, if only that were possible, I know!

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Dave & Marilyn Catlin
August 20, 2014 at 12:03 pm

As is so often the case, when the one we hold dearest dies, we are shocked and hurt and want to ask “why?” but when the Lord calls our loved one home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange. Those memories of many, many years of love and friendship are treasures beyond all wealth — carry them with you always! I am so grateful that I was able to speak to you both a few weeks ago. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and if you need me or I can do anything for you, just say the word. Feel our arms hugging you right now!

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Uncle Bob AKA UB
August 22, 2014 at 2:42 pm

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to know Chris better. We only had visits two or three times since you moved to Lansing. But from our conversations, it was most obvious you had a great relationship. I was very impressed with his accomplishments and back ground. You will have many memories of a truly great person. A special memory will be of the wonderful marriage you had. Some years back I read an article in a magazine that said only one in nineteen marriages are truly happy. Yours WAS one of the nineteen that experienced true happiness. I am very sorry for your loss. I love you dearly.

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