NOTRE DAME, Ind. Rev. David Henry Verhalen, C.S.C., 84, died Tuesday morning (Sept. 11, 2012) at Holy Cross House in Notre Dame, Ind.
He was born on May 19, 1928, in Scottsville, Texas, to Raymond P. and Jennie (Cameron) Verhalen. Fr. Verhalen attended St. Mary Academy in Marshall, Texas, and graduated from St. Edward High School in Austin, Texas, in 1945.
Fr. Verhalen attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and Holy Cross Seminary at the University of Notre Dame. He entered the Sacred Heart Novitiate in South Bend, Ind., on Aug. 15, 1947, making his First Profession of Vows on Aug. 16, 1948. Later, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Notre Dame in 1951 and made his Final Profession of Vows on Aug. 16, 1951. Fr. Verhalen studied theology at Le Grand Seminaire in Le Mans, France, from 1951 to 1954. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1954. Fr. Verhalen earned a Master’s of Modern Language Degree in 1959 from Notre Dame.
Fr. Verhalen continued his studies in Paris at Institut Catholique de Paris for a year after his Ordination, then returned to teach at Holy Cross Seminary at Notre Dame from 1955 to 1967, where he also served as Assistant Superior from 1961 to 1964. From 1967 to early 1971, Fr. Verhalen taught at the Notre Dame High School for Boys in Niles, Ill., then became Chaplain at Le Mans Academy in Rolling Prairie, Ind., for a year. He served again as Chaplain at Le Mans from 1980 to 1983 and from 1990 to 1998. From 1972 to 1973, he Assisted at Moreau House in Chicago, then returned to Notre Dame as the Assistant Superior of St. Joseph Hall from 1973 to 1976. Fr. Verhalen also assisted in Campus Ministry at Notre Dame from 1976 to 1977. During 1979 and 1980, he ministered at St. Bernard Catholic Parish in Watertown, Wisc., and at Little Flower Catholic Church in South Bend. Fr. Verhalen also served as Chaplain of Solitude of Our Savior in Rolling Prairie from 1984 to 1990.
Fr. Verhalen assisted at the Hermitage in Palestine, Texas, from 1977 to 1979; 1983 to 1984; and lived there from 1998 to 2002. He lived at Holy Cross Mission House in Notre Dame, Ind., from 2002 to 2005, then he moved to Columba Hall, also in Notre Dame. He moved to Our Lady of Fatima in Notre Dame in 2006 and then to Holy Cross House in July 2011.
Surviving family members include a sister-in-law, Mrs. Jack (Agnes) Verhalen, and 19 nieces and nephews. His parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, Steve (Marge), Cameron (Inez), Pat (Evelyn), Jack and Tommy (Fritzi) are all deceased. An aunt, Sr. Raymond Verhalen, C.S.C., a member of the Sisters of Holy Cross, also is deceased.
The Visitation and Wake Service were Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, at Moreau Seminary. The Funeral Mass was Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.
