Father Kenneth E. Yaroch, 86, of Saginaw, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1967, by Bishop Lawrence M. DeFalco in Amarillo, Texas.
Father Yaroch was born in 1939 to the late Sylvester A. and Irene M. Yaroch of Bad Axe, Michigan. His journey to the priesthood began at Sacred Heart Grade School in Bad Axe. He credited his parents and the Dominican Sisters of Adrian with instilling in him a desire for God and for the priesthood of Jesus Christ.
He continued his education at St. Mary’s in Orchard Lake, Michigan, and Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and studied philosophy. He completed theological studies at St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan, earning a master’s degree. In May 1969, he received a master’s degree in education from the University of Detroit.
In his early years of ministry, Father Yaroch served in the "panhandle" area of Texas.
Father Yaroch returned to the Diocese of Saginaw and spent many years serving among God’s people. He celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination on May 19, 2017. He considered it a privilege to live and work among God’s people and spent a lifetime discovering and enjoying the presence of God in others. The places where Father Yaroch served are listed below.
Assignments (all Michigan unless noted otherwise)
- St. Mary, Clarendon, Texas
- Sacred Heart, Memphis, Texas
- St. Joseph, Amarillo, Texas
- Regina High School, Midland – Principal
- Blessed Sacrament, Midland
- St. Stephen, Saginaw
- St. Hyacinth, Bay City
- Sacred Heart, Mount Pleasant
- St. Henry/St. Charles, Rosebush-Leaton
- St. Vincent de Paul, Bay City
- St. Mary, Albee
- Sacred Heart, Caro
- St. Roch, Caseville
- St. Felix de Valois, Pinnebog
Father Yaroch entered senior priest status for the Diocese of Saginaw on July 1, 2009.
Reflecting on the mystery of God, Father Yaroch often returned to the word “Amen.” He believed that a person’s first and final response to the living God should be “Amen.”
Memorial Mass on Thursday, Nov. 12
A Memorial Mass for Father Ken will be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Hubert Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 311 Whitelam St., Bad Axe, Mich. Bishop Robert Gruss will preside, and Father Andy Booms will serve as homilist.
Father Yaroch has opted for a private burial in Bad Axe, his family home. Those wishing to make a charitable donation in his memory are invited to choose one of their favorite charities.
A full obituary can be found here at the Ramsey Funeral Home website.