Date of death: 11/24/2013
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1966
Father David Douglas, 72, former pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, passed away Sunday evening, November 24, 2013, at University Place in West Lafayette following an extended illness.He was born December 17, 1940, in Muncie, the son of William J. and Margaret J. (Wendlekovski) Douglas. Father Douglas attended St. Lawrence Catholic School through the eighth grade, after which he began his studies for the priesthood at Our Lady of Lake Seminary in Wawasee.Upon completion of his minor seminary studies at Our Lady of Lake Seminary, Fr. Douglas continued his priestly formation at Saint Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, IN. In 1961, he was selected to attend the North American College in Rome, Italy, where he completed his BS and BA degree in theological studies and was ordained on December 18, 1965 at the basilica of St. Peter.During his ministry, Fr. Douglas served four parishes in the Lafayette Diocese. His first assignment was St. Ambrose Parish in Anderson, where he served from 1966 to 1968. After this assignment, he was asked to be an associate pastor at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Kokomo, where he served until 1972.Starting in 1972, Fr. Douglas was appointed as first pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Zionsville, where he ministered until 1984. For a brief interim, Fr. Douglas was in residence at St. Louis De Monfort Parish in Fishers. In 1985, Fr. Douglas became a pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in West Lafayette where he served for the remainder of his priestly ministry until he accepted medical retirement in July 2008.Fr. Douglas is survived by three brothers, Phillip W. Douglas (wife, Maralee), Bonita Springs, FL, Max E. Douglas (wife, Roseanne), Terre Haute, and Joseph M. Douglas (wife, Becky), Anderson; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Donald J. Douglas.Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2, 2013, at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, ‘4 Sacramento Drive, West Lafayette. Burial will be at 4:00 p.m. in Elm Ridge Cemetery in Muncie.Visitation will be Sunday, December 1, 2013, at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, ‘4 Sacramento Drive, West Lafayette, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., or from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Monday.In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Fr. Douglas may be made to Blessed Sacrament Parish, ‘4 Sacramento Dr., West Lafayette, IN 47906, for the purpose of sustaining the Lourdes Grotto or be designated as a gift to the Pontifical North American College, in Rome, Italy.Online condolences may be directed to the family at meeksmortuary.com.The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.From The Star Press.