Rev. David P. Dowdle
Rev. David P. Dowdle, 65, passed away on April 18, 2019 at his home in St. John of the Cross Rectory. Fr. Dowdle was born November 22, 1953 in Chicago, IL and ordained May 9, 1979.
He was a dedicated priest, pastor, gifted homilist and teacher. He served the Archdiocese of Chicago as Pastor and Senior Priest at St. John of the Cross Church in Western Springs, as Director of Spiritual Formation for the St. Mary of the Lake University Diaconate Program, Pastor of St. Gall Chicago, Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview, St. Mary of Celle in Berwyn, and St. Marceline in Schaumburg.
Fr. Dowdle was preceded in death by his mother, Marion McCarthy Dowdle. He was the beloved eldest son of David R. Dowdle and Mary Ellen Gallagher Dowdle. Brother to Laura (Peter Huebner), Mary Kane, Joan (John Prescott), Mark (Michele), Daniel (Cathy), Patrick (Angela), Ruth (Scott Duebel), Martin (Rosanna), Robert (late Bridget), Anne (Greg Paul) and Matthew (Alma Venegas). He was a step-brother to J. Patrick (Joey) Gallagher, Kevin (Kailey) Gallagher, Brian (Sherry) Gallagher, Tim Gallagher and Kathleen (Tim) Flannery; a beloved uncle to 27 and great-uncle to 12.
Fr. Dowdle will lie-in-state from 3pm until 8pm, with a prayer service beginning at 7:30pm, on Friday, April 26, 2019 at St. John of the Cross Church, 5005 Wolf Rd., Western Springs, IL 60558. Visitation continues Saturday, April 27 from 10am until time of Mass, 11am at the church. Interment will be held privately at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL. Fr. Dave requested no flowers, and that memorial donations be directed to the Sr. Anastasia Support-A-Student Fund, the Caritas SJC Needy Family Fund, the SJC Outreach-Sharing Parish Fund, or to the church or charity of your choosing. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside.
Thank you for all that you did!
RIP Fr. Dave
Fr Dave was a great priest and a good man. He will be missed by his SJC family.
Our love and prayers to all the Dowdle Family. He was a warm and compassionate priest and we were fortunate to know him. May he rest in peace.
Love and prayers,
Maureen McCarthy Anderson and Family
Joan, Penny and I are praying for you, John, and all of your family during this time of grief. We love you.
My condolences to the Dowdle family. I know that you will ALL miss Fr. Dave so much, but know that he is in a better place now and is watching over you. God bless Fr. Dave and ALL of you and hold All of you in the palm of His hands. R.I.P. Fr. Dowdle.
When I taught Dave at USFs spirituality program,he understood me as few did. Dave saw from his heart and wounded ness. It was a delight to give a workshop in his parish and see all those drawn to his warm humanity. Sister Mary Neill OP
In a spirit of joy and thanksgiving I celebrate the life of Father David. He was pastor at St. Gall when I was there, gave the homily at my 50th Jubilee celebration, was always welcoming and friendly. Now he’s celebrating Easter with the Risen Lord…no more pain, just peace and joy! Well deserved, David. You will be missed. Sr. Loretta, sscm
Rest in Peace Father Dave. You will be missed by all you came in contact with. We so remember your visits to Fl. Families knew each other for years and see you become the man and Priest you became. GOD Bless you soul.
This is very sad news. We treasure wonderful memories of Father Dave’s days at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help parish. In 1992, we and seventy parishioners had the opportunity to travel to China with Dave, his parents, and a few of his siblings. I will always remember his gift of a wonderful sense of humor – cannot recall a time with him when he didn’t have us all laughing. Our condolences to his parents and his family, He will be greatly missed, and forever alive in our thoughts.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the entire Dowdle clan. Dave’s kindness and humor will certainly be missed by family, friends and parishioners. Wanda and I were blessed that Dave co-celebrated our wedding in 1985.
Karen and I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Dowdle family. Father Dave was a great cousin and friend to my family, especially in providing much-needed comfort when we lost both of our parents in short order a few years ago.
We will miss you, Dave, but grateful for the great memories we shared together.
Our thoughts and prayers to the Family of Fr. David. we now that in his death he is united with the mystery of Christ’s death on the cross. He will always be remembered for his welcoming humanity and sharing spirit. the Andersons – thomas, laura, caitlin, david and grandma maureen.
Fr. David and I became friends many years ago. His friendship has been a blessing in my life, as I am sure
it has been for the many who have been touched by his goodness. David was a wonderful compassionate priest
who has been deeply loved by the people he served. He will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy to his family
and to all who love him and hold his memory in their hearts.
Sr. Christa Cunningham,OP
We will miss FrDavid’s great sense of humor as well as his gift of kind and inspirational words. God bless him and his family. All of you, his family, have lost a treasure as we at St. John’s have lost a good shepherd.
Condolences to the Dowdle family.
I was baptized by Fr. Dave at our OLPH Easter Vigil in 1991. He was my inspiration and guiding light during my RCIA journey . . . he still is.
RIP Father Dave. You helped me with such dynamic spiritual direction. Thank you again! You will be missed. Gone too soon but you are in that wonderful place we call Heaven. What a blessing to be called during Holy Week! I will miss you drinking those Diet Cokes. May God have Mercy on your Souland may Perpetual Light shine upon the
thee.
David I knew at St. Marcelline’s. He was a young priest and wonderful. My Son was in the hospital with a brain tumor . Father David came to Loyola to pray with us & was my support during the time of my son’s illness & death. He was what a priest should be, human, caring & with the spirit of Christ. I lost track of him for awhile, but was with him in prayer at St. John’s when he suffered with Christ. Even in his illness, he wrote several cards. I did not hear of his death until just recently. I will keep him in prayer, but I know he is with God. Peace to his Father & family. Know he is with God.
Fr. Dowdle . I have 16 years of CATHOLIC education and have known wonderful priests throughout my life. Fr. Dowdle was one of the finest loving priests throughout my life and I will always miss him. Now he is with the good Lord.
Had no idea until recently that you have left us! Fond memories of parties and events going on at school before you were ordained ; then to go on and marry 2 of my cousins; then to surprise you at OLPH and you realized I was taller than you! Last time I saw you was pre-ghost tour on the south side where u were pastor. You spotted me from across the room! Always dreamed you would be the one to perform my wedding ceremony…….gone too soon ❤❤