DILLON, O.Carm., David

Obituary Info:

CARMELITE PRIEST DAVID DILLON DIES

(2/24/25, Darien, IL)  The Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, Order of Carmelites, mourns the death of the Reverend David Dillon, O.Carm., who died at the age of 86 on February 24, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville, Illinois.

Visitation for Fr. David Dillon will be at 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the National Shrine of St. Therese, 8433 Bailey Road, Darien, Illinois, with the Funeral Mass following at 7:00 PM.  Interment will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.

Fr. David was born to the late Joseph Gerald Dillon and the late Anne Dwyer Dillon on January 25, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois. He was predeceased by one brother, Joseph G. Dillon, and is survived by his niece, Kathleen Dillon Casey, and three nephews, Joseph Dillon, Daniel Dillon, and David Dillon.

Fr. David attended Mount Carmel High School, Chicago, Illinois, from 1953-1957. Joining the Carmelite formation program after his high school graduation, he attended Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada from 1957-1958.  After completing his Novitiate in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania,1958-1959, he professed simple vows on August 15, 1959.

Fr. David then continued his college studies at Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls from 1959-1962, with summer school studies at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY, 1960-1962, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy.  He then attended Whitefriars Hall, Washington, DC, for his theological studies from 1962 to 1966.

Fr. David professed his solemn vows as a Carmelite at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC on February 7, 1963, and was ordained a priest on May 27, 1965, at St. Vincent De Paul Church, Chicago, Illinois.

Fr. David’s first assignment was on the Faculty of De Sales High School in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1966-1967.  From 1967-1992, for 25 years, Fr. David was associated with Mount Carmel High School in Chicago.  He was a member of the Faculty, 1967-1980, Vice-Principal from 1968-1974, Principal from 1974-1980, and Development Director from 1980-1992.

While at Mount Carmel High School, Fr. David received a Master in Education degree from Loyola University, Chicago, in 1973.  He was also a member of the Carmelite Provincial Council from 1984-1990.

Fr. David was then assigned to parish ministry at St. Matthew Parish in Glendale Heights, Illinois from 1992-2009.  In 2009, Fr. David moved to Carmelite Carefree Village in Darien, Illinois, where he provided weekend assistance at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, and served as a volunteer chaplain at Mercy and Rush Hospitals, all in the greater Chicago area.

Fr. David retired to the Titus Brandsma Community in Darien, Illinois in 2014.  He moved to St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville, Illinois in 2021, where he remained until his death.

May he rest in peace.

Donations in honor of Rev. David Dillon, O.Carm., may be made to the Society of Mount Carmel, 1317 North Frontage Road, Darien, Illinois, 60561.

For further information on Rev. David Dillon, O.Carm., or the Order of Carmelites, please contact Carmelite Media at 630-971-0724 or visit the Carmelite website at www.carmelites.net