Rev. David J. Porterfield C.S.C.

REV. DAVID J. PORTERFIELD, C.S.C.
June 13, 1942 – November 1, 2025
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Rev. David Joel Porterfield, C.S.C., 83, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. on November 1, 2025 after a short illness.
Fr. Porterfield, C.S.C. was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio on June 13, 1942 to Thomas and Mary (Durbin) Porterfield and is the third of nine children. After graduating from St. Vincent de Paul High School in Mt. Vernon, Ohio in 1960, he entered Saint Joseph Hall at University of Notre Dame to begin studies for the priesthood. During his novice year, 1961-1962, in Jordan, Minn., he decided to leave the Holy Cross Community for his senior year and worked at the firehouse on Notre Dame's campus while earning his bachelor's degree in Philosophy in 1965. From 1965 through 1975, he worked as a high school English teacher and coach at Notre Dame High School for Boys in Niles, Ill. before returning to seminary studies and completing his M. Div degree in 1978 from the University of Notre Dame. He professed final vows on September 15, 1978 and was ordained a Holy Cross priest on April 21, 1979. In 1981, he completed an M.A. in English at DePaul University in Chicago, Ill.
After ordination in 1979, Fr. Porterfield assisted at the University of Notre Dame and Sacred Heart Parish in Notre Dame, Ind. until 1986. In 1986, he assisted at Casa Santa Cruz in Phoenix, Ariz. before studying at the Mexican American Cultural Institute in San Antonio, Tex. in 1988. From 1989-1991, he served both at Holy Cross Parish and St. Stephen Parish in South Bend, Ind., before being assigned pastor at St. Stanislaus Parish in South Bend, Ind. until 2001.
Beginning in the early 1990s, Fr. Porterfield served as a volunteer Chaplain for the South Bend Police and Fire Departments for over two decades. From 2001-2003, he served as pastor at St. Casimir/St. Stephen Parish, before serving as administrator at St. Casimir/St. Adalbert Parish until 2004. From 2004-2006, he served as Assistant Superior at Holy Cross House in Notre Dame, Ind., before serving as Superior at Our Lady of Fatima House in Notre Dame, Ind. from 2006-2012. From 2012-2017, he served as Chaplain for the Sisters of the Holy Cross at St.
Mary's Convent in Notre Dame, Ind., before retiring at Our Lady of Fatima House beginning in 2017.
Preceding Fr. Porterfield in death are his parents, sisters Patricia Gresko and Margaret Penkhus, and brothers Thomas, Edward, and Bradford Porterfield. He is survived by sisters Karen Drabick and Mary Stoner, brother Jon Porterfield and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. ET at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Ind.
Burial will be in the community cemetery at Notre Dame. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement,
P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at https://donate.holycrossusa.org/
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