The Rev. J. David Maher
April 7, 1945 ~ November 10, 2019
The Rev. J. David Maher, 74, of Westphalia, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2019, at Westphalia Hills.
Father David Maher was born on April 7, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of the late Vincent and Gabriella (Spelman) Maher. He had eight brothers: Patrick, Phil, Dennis, Paul, Bill, Dan, Tom and Bob. A brother, Terry Maher, preceded him in death.
Father Maher attended Renick Public School and Slater Public School from 1951-1959. He studied at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary from 1959-1963; Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri from 1963-1971 receiving a Bachelors degree in Philosophy in 1967 and Masters degree in Theology in 1971. Father Maher was ordained to the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ on June 5, 1971, at St. Joseph Church in Slater, Missouri, by the Most Reverend Michael F. McAuliffe, Bishop of Jefferson City.
His pastoral assignments were Temporary Associate Pastor, St. Peter Church, Jefferson City and St. Margaret of Antioch, Osage Bend, appointed July 1, 1971; Associate Pastor, St. Peter Church, Marshall, appointed September 1, 1971-September 1974; Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, receiving a second Masters in Religious Education, 1974-1976; Faculty/Instructor of Religion and English, St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Hannibal, 1975 –1993; Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Canton and Mission of Notre Dame, LaGrange, appointed October 17, 1990-August 16, 1993; Director, Newman Center Kirksville, appointed August 16, 1993-January 1, 1996; Pastor, St. Rose of Lima, Novinger; and Associate Pastor, Mary Immaculate Church, Kirksville, appointed August 16, 1993-July 22, 1994; Pastor, Mary Immaculate Church, Kirksville and St. Rose of Lima, Novinger, appointed July 22, 1994; Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Church, Taos, appointed June 30, 2000; Pastor-designate, St. Peter Church, Jefferson City, appointed July 1, 2009; Pastor, St. Peter Church, Jefferson City, appointed July 1, 2010; Pastor, Annunciation Church, California, appointed August 18, 2012; Retirement, October 21, 2013. Other positions held by Father Maher included Dean, Kirksville Deanery – 1994-1997; Priests’ Senate – 1994-1995, 1996-1997; Vocation Area Promoter – October 26, 1993-October 4, 1995; Director of Seminarians – August 30, 1996-July 1, 2000; Diocesan Consultor – August 30, 1996-September 1, 1998; Presbyteral Council - August 2000-October 1, 2001; Ministry to Priests Committee – January 1, 2001-December 31, 2004; Chair, Ministry to Priests Committee – February 21, 2002-December 31, 2003; Senator, Jefferson City Deanery – October 1, 2003-October 1, 2005; Diocesan Pastoral Council – October 1, 2004-October 1, 2006; Dean, Jefferson City Deanery – October 1, 2007-October 1, 2010; Priests’ Personnel Board – September 1, 2008-September 1, 2012; Diocesan Pastoral Council Appointed Priest Rep – September 2009-September 2012; Helias High School Advisory Council – August 1, 2010-August 1, 2012
Father Maher celebrated his 25th Anniversary of Holy Priesthood on June 2, 1996, at Mary Immaculate Church in Kirksville. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee on June 5, 2010 at St. Joseph Church in Westphalia. Father Maher had a quiet demeanor and was a very spiritual priest. He had a strong devotion to the Curé of Ars. Father Maher was an early promoter of computer science. He loved his Irish heritage, especially its literature and culture. He was a fearless traveler and an avid reader of literature.
Father Dave, affectionately known as “Preach” by some of his brothers and sisters and Slater friends, was a true renaissance man who loved literature, art, cooking, music, traveling, reading, children, and God. He had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed any gathering of friends and family. He was loved by all that knew him and will be dearly missed.
He is survived by eight brothers Pat (Cookie) Maher of Ogalalla, NE; Phil (Kathy) Maher of Newnan, GA; Dennis (Gen) Maher of Wesley Chapel, FL; Paul (Shirley) Maher of Decatur, TX; Bill (Patricia) Maher of Liberty, MO; Dan (Alexandra) Maher of Batesville, IN; Tom (Cheryl) Maher of Nixa, MO; and Bob (Michelle) Maher of Overland Park, KS; 25 nieces and nephews; and 39 great nieces and nephews . He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his youngest brother, Terry.
Visitation will be at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City, Missouri, on Thursday, November 14, 2019, from 4:00 pm -7:00 pm, with a Prayer Service at 6:00 pm.
The concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, November 15, 2019, at 11:00 am at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City. Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos will preside and the homilist will be his classmate, Father John W. Groner.
On Friday, November 15, 2019, there will be the Rosary and Visitation from 5:00 pm -7:00 pm at St. Joseph Church, 325 W. Emma Street, Slater, Missouri. There will be a Memorial Mass on Saturday, November 16, 2019, 10:00 am at St. Joseph Church, Slater. Burial will be in the Slater City Cemetery in the family plot next to his parents.
Memorials are suggested to the Diocese of Jefferson City Vocation Fund.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
Father David Maher was born on April 7, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of the late Vincent and Gabriella (Spelman) Maher. He had eight brothers: Patrick, Phil, Dennis, Paul, Bill, Dan, Tom and Bob. A brother, Terry Maher, preceded him in death.
Father Maher attended Renick Public School and Slater Public School from 1951-1959. He studied at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary from 1959-1963; Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri from 1963-1971 receiving a Bachelors degree in Philosophy in 1967 and Masters degree in Theology in 1971. Father Maher was ordained to the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ on June 5, 1971, at St. Joseph Church in Slater, Missouri, by the Most Reverend Michael F. McAuliffe, Bishop of Jefferson City.
His pastoral assignments were Temporary Associate Pastor, St. Peter Church, Jefferson City and St. Margaret of Antioch, Osage Bend, appointed July 1, 1971; Associate Pastor, St. Peter Church, Marshall, appointed September 1, 1971-September 1974; Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, receiving a second Masters in Religious Education, 1974-1976; Faculty/Instructor of Religion and English, St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Hannibal, 1975 –1993; Pastor, St. Joseph Church, Canton and Mission of Notre Dame, LaGrange, appointed October 17, 1990-August 16, 1993; Director, Newman Center Kirksville, appointed August 16, 1993-January 1, 1996; Pastor, St. Rose of Lima, Novinger; and Associate Pastor, Mary Immaculate Church, Kirksville, appointed August 16, 1993-July 22, 1994; Pastor, Mary Immaculate Church, Kirksville and St. Rose of Lima, Novinger, appointed July 22, 1994; Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Church, Taos, appointed June 30, 2000; Pastor-designate, St. Peter Church, Jefferson City, appointed July 1, 2009; Pastor, St. Peter Church, Jefferson City, appointed July 1, 2010; Pastor, Annunciation Church, California, appointed August 18, 2012; Retirement, October 21, 2013. Other positions held by Father Maher included Dean, Kirksville Deanery – 1994-1997; Priests’ Senate – 1994-1995, 1996-1997; Vocation Area Promoter – October 26, 1993-October 4, 1995; Director of Seminarians – August 30, 1996-July 1, 2000; Diocesan Consultor – August 30, 1996-September 1, 1998; Presbyteral Council - August 2000-October 1, 2001; Ministry to Priests Committee – January 1, 2001-December 31, 2004; Chair, Ministry to Priests Committee – February 21, 2002-December 31, 2003; Senator, Jefferson City Deanery – October 1, 2003-October 1, 2005; Diocesan Pastoral Council – October 1, 2004-October 1, 2006; Dean, Jefferson City Deanery – October 1, 2007-October 1, 2010; Priests’ Personnel Board – September 1, 2008-September 1, 2012; Diocesan Pastoral Council Appointed Priest Rep – September 2009-September 2012; Helias High School Advisory Council – August 1, 2010-August 1, 2012
Father Maher celebrated his 25th Anniversary of Holy Priesthood on June 2, 1996, at Mary Immaculate Church in Kirksville. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee on June 5, 2010 at St. Joseph Church in Westphalia. Father Maher had a quiet demeanor and was a very spiritual priest. He had a strong devotion to the Curé of Ars. Father Maher was an early promoter of computer science. He loved his Irish heritage, especially its literature and culture. He was a fearless traveler and an avid reader of literature.
Father Dave, affectionately known as “Preach” by some of his brothers and sisters and Slater friends, was a true renaissance man who loved literature, art, cooking, music, traveling, reading, children, and God. He had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed any gathering of friends and family. He was loved by all that knew him and will be dearly missed.
He is survived by eight brothers Pat (Cookie) Maher of Ogalalla, NE; Phil (Kathy) Maher of Newnan, GA; Dennis (Gen) Maher of Wesley Chapel, FL; Paul (Shirley) Maher of Decatur, TX; Bill (Patricia) Maher of Liberty, MO; Dan (Alexandra) Maher of Batesville, IN; Tom (Cheryl) Maher of Nixa, MO; and Bob (Michelle) Maher of Overland Park, KS; 25 nieces and nephews; and 39 great nieces and nephews . He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his youngest brother, Terry.
Visitation will be at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City, Missouri, on Thursday, November 14, 2019, from 4:00 pm -7:00 pm, with a Prayer Service at 6:00 pm.
The concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, November 15, 2019, at 11:00 am at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City. Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos will preside and the homilist will be his classmate, Father John W. Groner.
On Friday, November 15, 2019, there will be the Rosary and Visitation from 5:00 pm -7:00 pm at St. Joseph Church, 325 W. Emma Street, Slater, Missouri. There will be a Memorial Mass on Saturday, November 16, 2019, 10:00 am at St. Joseph Church, Slater. Burial will be in the Slater City Cemetery in the family plot next to his parents.
Memorials are suggested to the Diocese of Jefferson City Vocation Fund.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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A great man a kind humble preist!
Uncle David, or “Uncle Preach” as my father had us call him, was an amazing man. Despite tending to his congregation, he somehow managed to make time to be with family, local and remote, all the time. Father David performed my baptism, and first communion, and baptized my siblings as well. I remember Father David performing mass for the Dan Maher family at our cabin in Innsbrook, and I was amazed at how personal the mass could be! As a kid, I thought Uncle Preach was a comedian! He always came prepared with jokes and riddles to entertain us. Looking back, I don’t know that the jokes were comedy club worthy, but he definitely put in the effort to make us smile. Thinking about those days, I can’t help but mourn the loss of the world of such a wonderful and warm soul. Father David also REALLY enjoyed computers. He gave me a computer game back in 1987, and I remember it like it was yesterday. Later, when visiting his seminary, he showed me the computer lab. Even in his final years, he still was excited about technology! Father David visited our family in Japan, even! And I am sure that that wasn’t the extent of his international travels. Recently, I moved back to Missouri and had some opportunities to visit with him. We drove to Burger’s Smokehouse in California, Missouri a couple times, and another time drove together to Ohio to visit with our family there. I regret that I didn’t spend more time with Uncle Preach, but I’m so glad we visited as often as we did. I am going to miss you, Uncle Preach! I am sure that our Father will welcome you into his arms and give you the joy that you deserve!
Adding a video from the gathering on April 22, 2017. The Maher brothers were amazing together!
What can be said about the man that traveled 2.5 hours to baptize my child that lay comatose in the pediatric ICU, the night before he would undergo radical brain surgery? Thank you hardly seemed enough then and it hardly seems enough now. Fr. Dave you will forever be remembered in my heart as a savior. Your presence that day brought peace to my soul and hope to my heart.
Fr Dave was a great Priest and a good friend. As an alumnus of St Thomas Seminary he was great teacher and spiritual advisor during my 4 years at St Thomas
Fr. Dave was a wonderful, spiritual man and priest. He did wonders for the St. Francis Xavier parish/parishioners. When our daughter was killed in 2014, I remember seeing him sitting on the altar with 5 other priests and every time I looked up he was watching me and smiled. No doubt our Fr. Dave is sitting with our Savior Jesus Christ, with that gentle smile of his. Thank you Father. Give my Corrie 3 kisses please. Love you
Father Dave, you were one of the sweetest, kindest people that I have ever known. Thank you for all the things that you did for me and my family. You will be greatly missed by many. Rest In Peace my dear friend. God bless!
Fr. Dave was a kind, gentle and humble man and a very good priest. It has been a very long time since I saw him last but it’s sad just knowing he’s not out there tending the flock. With that said, it’s a certaintly that this good and faithful servant is now resting comfortably and forever in the glory and endless joy of God’s presence.
Fr. Dave was someone who I went to several times while there when I was struggling to talk to and get guideness from. May he rest in eternal peace and shine on all of us.
Fr. Maher was my religion teacher and soccer coach at St. Thomas Seminary. His kind-hearted and unassuming nature was among the many things I admired about him. May he rest in the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My husband first knew Father Dave from St. Thomas Seminary but the real friendship began when he was assigned to Taos; he was the salve to the soul of our parish at a time when we needed healing. His gentle, unassuming nature was a gift. I am most grateful for his introduction to the writings of Servant of God Catherine Doherty. My most favorite memory comes during a homily at school day Mass. He was making a point about being kind to classmates. He said, “It’s like the movie, Shrek. You have a donkey in your class asking you – Pick me, pick me, pick me!” As he’s saying the 3 ‘pick me’ – he has his hand raised and is hopping sideways in front of the altar. Kids were laughing but they totally understood the message! To the Maher family, we extend our sympathies. We will surely miss our beloved friend.
Without Fr. Dave, Hope’s Kitchen (Kirksville’s Community Soup Kitchen) may never have become a reality. He was one of the very few to believe in two young girls’ vision to help their local community, and he so generously offered the use of M.I. cafeteria for free one Saturday a month. Fr. Dave, I will forever be thankful for you!
Father Dave was a joy to be around. Being with him made me want to be a better person. He was a blessing to many and will be missed. Our condolences to all his brothers.
What a sweet and precious Disciple of Christ. I will always cherish Fr. Dave, he was gentle but firm in his beliefs and knew how to bring out the best on people. He had an appreciation for beauty, and always loved when people shared their artist talents. He loved music and I think I still have some celtic music he shared with me. I never heard him express anger, he would find something good with even the most ornery individuals. I loved working with him at St.Peter JC. I know I’ll get to give him a hug and a peck on the flip side. RIP ☘-Cortina
I work at Westphalia Hills Nursing Home and had the pleasure of taking care of Father Maher in the last chapter of his life. He was a wonderful, caring and devoted man who I will truly miss.
Father Maher and I became very close when my daughter was at Westphalia Hills. He gave Lois her final blessing when she died. He was a very holy man and a great friend. May he rest in peace. Jo Ann and Ron Mertz.
My family lived in Slater during my grade school years. David and my brother, Terry, were in the same grade, Pat and I were and Phil and brother, Tom were. We also knew them through church. One time my Mom and I and Pat’s Mom and he were in some kind of used clothes store. I remember overhearing Pat’s Mom chuckling to mine that he tried on pants over his own since he saw me. Funny what a child remembers. I also remember how much the Maher family was respected and the Mayer boys were to be emulated. It sounds like David lived a very blessed life.
Such a beautiful soul. My memories of him are so very special because of how thoughtful and caring he was to my dad. He made so many trips to Slater and spent countless hours comforting him. The world is a sadder place without his wonderful humor and compassion. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Sorry to hear the news of Fr. Dave’s death. I first met him at Conception Seminary College in the Fall of 1963. He was certainly a kind and blessed man. I treasure him as a priest who touched many people with his gentle spirit. My condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace! Fr. Ken Gross
We are sorry for the loss of Father David Maher. In August of 1974, Father David remarried Donnie and I. Even though we did not know him very well, he was a kind and considerate person. He will be missed by many who knew him. Our prayers goes out to his family and friends.
Father Dave is my mom’s first cousin (Patty (Banker) Powers-Irby), my younger sister’s Godfather (Jessica Powers), and my grandma’s nephew (Anna Moss (Spelman) Banker). He baptized several of my nephews. We grieve with all who were graced by his life. Our hearts go out to the family and friends who will miss him. Love to all from the Powers Family Patty (Banker) Powers Irby and her children Erica, Nikki (Bergendahl), Jessica, Hope (Stufflebeam) and the late Will Powers.
Prayers for Fr. David….another fine Man…!! Fr. Dave was kind of story teller…a few years ago he told me that Dave’s Tavern in Taos…was named after him…I’ll never forget him…!! Charlie & Pat Roll
The Knights of Columbus of Missouri offer their deepest prayerful sympathy to the Maher Family and the Diocese of Jefferson City on the passing of longtime diocesan priest FR. J. DAVID MAHER. He will be remembered in our Masses and prayers. May he rest in peace!
Father Dave and his brothers grew up in the same small town (Slater, MO) as me. David’s friends from Slater along with his family knew him and referred to him as ‘Preach’ and he was fond of that term of affection. I have stayed close to Preach and the family through the years. Preach married my wife and I over 46 years ago in a dual pastor ceremony in a Lutheran church, he said the funeral mass for my mother, he has stayed at our homes and even said Sunday mass in our home in Virginia. Preach has been a part of my life for over 60 years and I am grateful for his friendship. He was a kind, intelligent, funny, thoughtful, caring and a totally trustworthy and non-judgemental man. But he was even a better friend who I will truly miss.