Rev. Richard R. Seifferly

Reverend Richard Robert Seifferly entered eternal life on April 24, 2013 at the age of 75. He was born August 12, 1937 in Bay City, Michigan to Robert and Delphine (Budzinski) Seifferly. He attended St. Stanislaus Elementary and High School in Bay City and received his seminary education at St. Jerome in Kitchener, Ontario, St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota and St. John in Plymouth, Michigan. He was ordained on June 1, 1963 by the Most Reverend Stephen Woznicki at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw. After his ordination, Father Seifferly served as Assistant at the parishes of St. Philip Neri in Coleman, St. Andrew in Saginaw, Sts. Peter and Paul in Saginaw, and St. Mary in Alpena. He served as Administrator for St. Joseph Parish in Unionville and Holy Family Parish in Klacking Creek. He became Pastor for St. Augustine Parish in Hillman in January, 1968 and also served as Pastor for the parishes of St. Joseph in Argyle, St. Ignatius in Austin, and St. Joseph in West Branch. He served as Sacramental Minister beginning on July 30, 1997 for St. Hubert in Higgins Lake and St. James in Houghton Lake. On August 2, 2000 he became the Sacramental Minister for St. Anthony parish in Mackinaw City until he retired to Senior Priest status on September 1, 2002. After his retirement he continued to celebrate Masses as needed, most recently at St. Helen Parish in St. Helen. Father Seifferly was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Ken. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Prager of Essexville, nephew, David Prager of Essexville, and niece, LeAnn Prager Dyer of Bay City; his sister-in-law, Carol Seifferly, from Bay City, and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 29 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish, 961 W. Houghton Avenue, West Branch, Michigan. Visitation will also be held at St. Joseph Parish on Tuesday, April 30 at 11:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Father Seifferly may be made to St. Joseph School, 935 W. Houghton Avenue, West Branch, Michigan 48661.