David Lawrence Keating was born May 6, 1925 to John and Patricia (Hart) Keating in Yankton. He attended Sacred Heart grade school and Yankton High School. He served three years in the United States Navy and then attended Creighton University for three years before becoming a seminarian for the diocese. He spent a year at Conception College in Missouri and then completed his theology at St. Paul Seminary. He was ordained January 31, 1954.

His first assignment was as associate pastor at Christ the King, Sioux Falls. He also assisted at the Veteran's Hospital during this time. In 1958, he became the associate pastor at St. Thomas More, Brookings, where he also worked with the Newman Club at South Dakota State College. In 1960, he was named administrator of St. Mary, Clear Lake and St. Peter, Gary. He was appointed pastor of St. Joseph, Elk Point in 1965 where he served until 1968 when he returned to Brookings as pastor of St. Thomas More. He remained in Brookings until 1980 when he became pastor of Sacred Heart, Parkston. In 1985, he moved to Lesterville as pastor of St. John the Baptist and St. Agnes, Sigel. In 1989, he was named chaplain at Gettysburg Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home where he served until his retirement in April 1990 due to Alzheimer's. He lived with family for a time, then Prince of Peace Nursing Home, and finally Sister James these last years. He deeply appreciated the physical and spiritual care he received from the staff of both institutions.

Over the years Father Keating was also an active member of the Priest Senate and personnel boards, and he was very active in the pro life movement.

Father Keating is survived by four sisters: Ann Lemon and Sister Angeline Keating, OSB, both of Yankton; Kitty Strubert of St. Louis, MO; and Mary Margaret (Pecky) Kelly of Denton, TX, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and half brother Austin Keating and half sister Jane Alsman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Paul Swain with a homily by Father John Brady at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitations will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a Rosary at 7:30 and a Scripture service at 8 p.m. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton is in care of the arrangements.

The family asks that memorials be directed to either the Seminarian Fund or the Mother Theresa Endowment in care of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, 523 North Duluth Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104.