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Marilyn Durham Obituary
Evansville, Ind.
Marilyn J. (Wall) Durham, 84, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Columbia Healthcare Center.
Marilyn was born in Evansville, Indiana on September 8, 1930 to the late Russell and Stacy (Birdsall) Wall. Marilyn wrote three novels, two of which became best-sellers. Her works include The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (1972), Dutch Uncle (1973), and Flambard's Confession (1982). The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing was adapted into a film released in 1973, starring Burt Reynolds and British actress Sarah Miles. Marilyn spoke at numerous writing workshops at the University of Evansville, the University of Southern Indiana, and at other fiction writing groups in Evansville. She won the Fiction Award of the Society of Midland Authors in 1973. Marilyn worked as an instructor for McGraw-Hill's Continuing Education Center for over ten years. Marilyn taught Sunday school at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Evansville. She also enjoyed opera and reading "the unread treasures from the sales table" at Barnes & Noble.
Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Elaine Otto; sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Larry Henderson; grandsons Marine Staff Sgt. Robert Durham (Christina) and Andrew Otto; granddaughter Stacy Otto; great-grandchildren Theodore, Evalyn, and Elizabeth Durham; and cousins, Bill and Jan Fares.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Kilburn H. Durham, and her daughter, Jennifer Felker.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Browning Funeral Home, 738 Diamond Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711, with Pastor Kaitlin Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Friends may visit from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, on Friday, March 27, 2015, and from 9:00 AM until service time on Saturday at Browning Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Smile Train, P.O. Box 96231, Washington, D.C. 20090-6231 or the Vanderburgh County Humane Society, 400 Millner Industrial Drive, Evansville, IN 47710.
Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Marilyn Durham
Ron and Norma Faust
April 7, 2015
Robert, our sympathy to you and your family. You are in our prayers.
March 26, 2015
Elaine,I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. These can be difficult times. May God bless you and your family.
Kim Bruce (Lynch)
March 25, 2015
My deepest sympathies to you and yours. May God have Gauardian Angels take your mother home to live in peace and with all her loved ones.
Donna Marrs-Feagley
March 25, 2015
Our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family! Your mother will be sorely missed by all who knew her! She was a great woman, one who I admired and looked up to! Strengthening prayers for the days ahead!
Joseph E. Filipczak
March 25, 2015
Marine Detachment 1090 of Evansville, IN wishes to express its condolences to the family of Marilyn J. Durham and her grandson Staff Sgt. Robert Durham.
May she rest in peace.
Joseph E. Filipczak, USMCR
Chaplain
Joyce Merriss Rutledge
March 25, 2015
I will always remember Marilyn and Kilburn. For my graduation present, she painted a 12x14 oil painting of me taken from my graduation picture. Kilburn made a beautiful and very large oak frame for it. I have thought of them often over the years.
pam sims
March 25, 2015
Sorry for your loss. If you need someone to talk to please call.
Linda J. Deitchman
March 25, 2015
I was blessed to know Marilyn because of her wonderful sense of humor, her keen intelligence, her honesty, her appreciation of all things good, and her devotion to her family. I will miss her at all times, especially when I am reading a great book.
Rebecca Preisler
March 25, 2015
Your light will shine bright for all the lives you touched with your intellect and legacy. I know you touched my life. My love and prayers I send to you and your family.
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Memorial Events
for Marilyn Durham
Mar
27
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Browning Funeral Home - Evansville738 E. Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47711
Mar
28
Visitation
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Browning Funeral Home - Evansville738 E. Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47711
Mar
28
Funeral service
10:00 a.m.
Browning Funeral Home - Evansville738 E. Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47711
Funeral services provided by:
Browning Funeral Home - Evansville738 E. Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47711
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