News: Father David Smith dies

July 10, 2021

Father David Smith died July 9 at age 67. A Mass of Christian Burial is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 14 at St. Mary, Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Portsmouth. Watch this website for confirmation on arrangements.

He attended Creighton Preparatory School, Creighton University and Jesuit School of Theology in California, where he did post-graduate work. A Jesuit since 1974, he was ordained a priest in 1985 in Omaha. 

He taught at Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota for nearly 20 years. He also served as the director of the Creighton University Retreat Center in Griswold in the Diocese of Des Moines from 2001 to 2013. After a year with his religious community, he returned to the western part of our Diocese by becoming pastor of St. Mary in Portsmouth, St. Mary in Panama and St. Boniface in Westphalia.

Father Smith's death is the second blow to the Portsmouth Region and Shelby County. Father Dan Gehler, who also served three parishes in the county, died June 29. His funeral Mass is slated for July 15 at St. Joseph Parish in Earling.

Eternal rest grant unto Father David Smith, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.