Reverend David Lawrence Deibel, JD, JCL, 75, glorified God while on earth and entered eternal life on June 16, 2025.
Born in 1950, Father Dave was ordained to the sacred priesthood on June 11, 1983, at St. Paul’s Church in North Canton, Ohio for the Society of the Precious Blood. Father Dave was incardinated into the Diocese of Monterey by Bishop Richard J. Garcia on September 1, 2010.
Father Dave’s ministry brought him to many locations, and his experience was varied and distinguished. He served as Chaplain for the De La Salle Institute in Napa, Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Sacramento, Ecclesiastical Judge for the Diocese of Stockton, Canonical Consultant for the Servants of the Paraclete in New Mexico, Ecclesiastical Judge for the Diocese of Oakland, Chaplain to US Armed Forces in Europe, Chaplain to US Air Force at Travis AFB, and in Mission Appeals for Food for the Poor. Father Dave worked in civil law with Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges and the Law Offices of Dennis B. Natali. He was also an adjunct professor and lecturer at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Saint Mary’s College of California, Santa Clara University School of Law, Loyola University (Chicago) Summer Law Program, Golden Gate University School of Law, and Franciscan School of Theology.
After retiring in Michigan, he was appointed the Sacramental Minister at St. Anthony of Padua, Mackinaw City, in the Diocese of Gaylord, in July 2024 until his death.
To read his complete obituary, visit https://www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com/obituary/RevDavid-Deibel
On Friday, June 20, 2025, visitation will be held at 11 am with a funeral Mass at Noon at Cross in the Woods Catholic Shrine of Indian River. Reverend Matthew Wigton and Reverend Patrick Maher will preside at the funeral Mass. If you would like to concelebrate, please complete this RSVP form by noon on Thursday, June 19.
Condolences may be sent to the Deibel family in care of Stone Funeral Home, 6038 Prospect Street, Indian River, MI 49749. If you’d like to honor Father David’s memory, a donation can be made to: Opus Bono Sacerdotii, 5137 Dryden Road, PO Box 251, Dryden, Michigan 48428 https://opusbono.org/donate or Priests for Life, PO Box 236695, Cocoa, Florida 32923 https://www.priestsforlife.org/donate.
Please keep the Deibel family in your prayers.
