With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share the news of the repose of Fr Daniel Simon, who fell asleep in the Lord at age 86 on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. He lived a selfless and joyful life, in sacramental commitment to priestly service.
At age 6, when he survived polio, Fr Daniel's parents dedicated his life to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ordained as a subdeacon at the age of 15, he began his ministry to those afflicted and in need.
A native of Grand Rapids, MI, Fr Daniel graduated from Central High School and enlisted in the Army in 1958, where he served as a helicopter mechanic. After leaving the military, Fr Daniel attended Ferris State University, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in June of 1963.
He married Eileen Hoffer in September of 1964, and she accompanied him to St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) in New York. He was ordained to the holy priesthood at Holy Protection Cathedral (OCA) in New York City on Dec. 11, 1966, by His Beatitude Metropolitan Ireney of thrice-blessed memory, of what is now the Orthodox Church in America. Father Daniel graduated seminary in June 1967 with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree.
Subsequently, he served Antiochian parishes such as St George Church in S. Glens Falls, N.Y. in 1967. In 1968, Fr Daniel was reassigned to St George Church in St. Paul, MN. There, he was instrumental in finding and negotiating the purchase of the current church property in West St Paul. Fr Daniel also worked for the State of Minnesota as an auditor from 1968 to the mid-1970s.
After his time in West St Paul, Fr Daniel served multiple communities from Italy to Hawaii to the Upper Midwest, in several Orthodox Christian jurisdictions.
Fr Daniel is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kh. Eileen; children Anna, Daniel (Nojelyn Kato), John (Rafif), and Alexander (Elizabeth); grandchildren James (Alta), Matthew, AnnaMaria, Luke, John, Mark, Sho Kato, Julia, Lila, Aiden; sister Frances (James) Sears; niece Mary Simon, and cousins Christine and Alexis Elias.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother George and sister-in-law Kareemeh Simon; sister Margaret Simon; and brother Matthew Simon.
The family gives special thanks to Mergitu Tibesso and the family who warmly cared for and looked after Fr Daniel in their loving adopted adult care home.
Services will be held at St George Church of West St Paul, MN, scheduled as follows:
Sunday, October 15
4:00 p.m. – Visitation
6:00 p.m. – Funeral service for a priest
Monday, October 16
9:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
10:30 a.m. – Funeral service
11:30 a.m. – Meal of mercy in the parish hall
1:30 p.m. – Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St George Church building fund (write "Fr Daniel Memorial" in the check's memo line) at 1250 Oakdale Ave., West St Paul, MN 55118.
May Fr Daniel Simon’s memory be eternal!
Adapted from antiochian.org.
