SVD provincial dies in Gulfport GULFPORT — Father Joseph Donald Simon, Provincial Superior of the Southern Province (USA) of the Society of the Divine Word died July 18 at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport as a result of complications arising from cancer. He was just over 75 years of age.
Father Simon was ordained a priest on May 4, 1961. In Bay St. Louis he taught church history and homiletics at St. Augustine . . . until he was assigned to the newly opened Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa in 1966.
Besides teaching Father Simon held various posts such as director of development, dean of academic affairs (1981-87) and president of the college from 1987-93. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Divine Word College from 1993 until his death.
In 1993, Father Simon returned to Bay St. Louis to serve as director of development for the Southern Province from 1993-96. He then served as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Maurice, La., from 1996-2002.
In 2002 Father Simon was elected provincial superior of the Southern Province which includes parishes in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas. He also served as a member of the Marriage Tribunals for the Dioceses of Lafayette and Biloxi.
He is survived by a brother, Herbert, and a sister, Doris Ann.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, July 24. Burial took place in St. Augustine’s Cemetery.
Louis he taught church history and homiletics at St. Augustine . . . until he was assigned to the newly opened Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa in 1966.