Durbin, Edward 1933 - 2019

DURBIN, MILLER, BROWN, STEVENSON, MCCARTNEY

Posted By: Carol Auen (email)
Date: 3/2/2019 at 21:18:08

Edward H. Durbin
April 3, 1933 - February 21, 2019

Edward Harry Durbin, the son of Edward D. and Helen (Miller) Durbin, was born on April 3, 1933, in Waukegan, IL. He attended Catholic school until the age of 14, when the family moved to Berthoud, CO, to farm. Ed graduated in Colorado from Loveland High School with the class of 1952. During high school, Ed was enlisted in the National Guard and then was drafted into the U.S. Army. He honorably served his country overseas in Korea serving as a mechanic and personal driver from 1954 to 1956.

Upon his honorable discharge from the service, Ed held various employments with John's Mansville in IL, Combs Aircraft in Denver, CO, Gates Rubber, and an Oil Company. Ed married Irene Brown and the couple welcomed three sons, Michael, Daniel, and Patrick.

Ed received his pilot's license and owned his own hanger business. He built his own Taylor Craft airplane and operated his business until a windstorm hit and took the hanger. Ed and Irene parted ways in 1963, and he moved to California to be close to his sons.

In 1964, Ed moved back to Colorado and met Judith Stevenson. The couple married on October 19, 1964, just 19 days after they met. He was employed with Silver King Vacuums until 1969, when the couple relocated back to Omaha, NE. Ed took a job with Penn Life Insurance and was employed there for 29 years. While employed with Penn Life, Ed served five states and earned top salesman, manager, and then became a motivational speaker. Ed and Judith welcomed two sons, David and Daryl.

The family moved state to state 14 times and due to health issues Ed retired at the age of 62. After a few months of traveling, Ed decided he would rather work and started working at Pamida in Ida Grove, IA, until he suffered a heart attack. After recovering, Ed went to work for Jim Meyers Farms until the age of 80, when Parkinson's slowed him down. Ed and Judy loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Spain, and Mexico. They cherished quick day trips together with their grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife of 54 years, Judy Durbin of Odebolt, IA; sons Mike (Donna) Durbin of Itasca, IL, Daniel (Carol) Durbin of Seattle, WA; Patrick Durbin of Seattle, WA; David (Tina) Durbin of Homer Glen, IL; and Daryl (Sonya) Durbin of Ida Grove, IA; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren, and one on the way; sister Nancy McCartney of Aurora, CO; brother Cecil Durbin of Havre, MT; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Helen Durbin.

The family requests no flowers. Please direct memorials to the family to be used towards an OABCIG Senior Scholarship in the field of Mechanical Tech.