We announce the death at Westphalia Hill, Westphalia, Missouri, on the 10th day of November, 2019, at the age of 74 of Father James David Maher, a retired priest of the Jefferson City diocese.
Father David Maher was born on April 7, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of the late Vincent and Gabriella (Spellman) Maher. He had eight brothers: Patrick, Phil, Dennis, Paul, Bill, Dan, Tom and Bob. A brother, Terry Maher, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City, Missouri, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, from 4 pm -7 pm, with a Prayer Service at 6 pm.
The concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at 11 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, Nov. 15, 2019, there will be the Rosary and Visitation from 5 pm -7 pm at St. Joseph Church, 325 W. Emma Street, Slater, Missouri. There will be a Memorial Mass on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, 10 am at St. Joseph Church, Slater.
Burial will be in the Slater City Cemetery in the family plot next to his parents.
Fr. 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. Fr. 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:
Other positions held by Fr. Maher:
Fr. 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.
Fr. Maher had a quiet demeanor and was a very spiritual priest.
He had a strong devotion to St. John Vianney, also known as the Curé of Ars, patron saint of pairsh priests.
Fr. Maher was an early promoter of computer science.
He was a fearless traveler and an avid reader of literature.
He loved his Irish heritage, especially its literature and culture.