Rev. David Deibel

Rev. David Lawrence Deibel, 75 of Indian River, Michigan, died on June 16, 2025 at home.

David was born on January 11, 1950 in Wauseon, Ohio The son of David L. Deibel and Mary (Koester) Deibel and grew up in North Canton, Ohio and later received various degrees while attending different schools, including: and attended school at the following: B.A., Philosophy and Theology (2 Majors) at St. Joseph's College, Collegeville, Indiana, 1972; his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Akron School of Law Akron, Ohio, 1975; his Master of Divinity (M. Div) Franciscan School of Theology Berkeley, California, 1982; Diploma in Latin Letters Pontifical Gregorian University Rome, Italy, 1986; Juris Canonici Licentiatus (J.C.L) Pontifical Gregorian University Rome, Italy, 1985; Research in Medieval Canon Law, Theology, and History University of California School of Law, Boalt Hall Institute of Medieval Canon Law, 1986 to 1988; Pacifica Graduate Institute Carpinteria, California, Attended 3 years of Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology, 1990 to 1993.

Father David L. Deibel was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1983, at St. Paul’s Church in North Canton, Ohio for the Society of the Precious Blood. Father David was incardinated into the Diocese of Monterey by Bishop Richard J. Garcia on September 1, 2010.

Father David’s ministry brought him to many locations and his experience was varied and distinguished. At the time of his death he served as Sacramental Minister for the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan, and had his own canonical law practice.

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 and was an advocate for Priests for Life.

Father David 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.

He enjoyed book collecting and Philately.

Father David Deibel is survived by his father, David L Deibel, Sr. (Shirley) of Venice, Florida and his siblings Stephanie Silver (Jerome), Curt Deibel (Barbara), Mary Deibel, Matthew (Patty), Mark Deibel (David Blazer), Amy Deibel, Paula Angari (Ezzat), his close friends Ahmir Ragsac, Andy Kraus and Edie Payne Krause and their children Aidan and Eli, and Reverend Michael Ritter, and many nieces and nephews.

The Rev. Matthew Wigton and Rev. Patrick Maher of the Diocese of Gaylord will officiate at the Cross in the Woods Catholic Shrine and burial will be in the Cross in the Woods Cemetery in Indian River, Michigan on Friday, June 20, 2025. Viewing at 11:00 am and Mass at 12:00 pm.

Those wishing to honor Father David’s memory are asked to make a donation 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.

Arrangements are in the care of the Stone Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Indian River, MI.

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