Robert L. Durlin

DANVILLE - Robert L. Durlin, 82, of Bush Road died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

He was born March 31, 1922, in Limestone Township, Montour County, a son of the late W. Curtis and Elizabeth M. (Robbins) Durlin. On March 12, 1949, he married the former Lois M. Bennett, and they shared 53 years of marriage until her death on June 3, 2002.

Mr. Durlin graduated from Turbotville High School in 1940.

He served three years in the Army during World War II from 1942-45. He served in the European-African-Middle East Theater in the 85th Infantry Division of the 5th Army and received the combat infantry and bronze star medals, the good conduct medal, the victory medal, the American Theater Ribbon and three Bronze battle stars.

A farmer, Bob farmed in Limestone Township from 1949 until retiring in 1990.

He served on the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service board in Montour County for 30 years and as the chairman for 10 years.

Bob was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Turbotville, for more than 65 years, serving as church treasurer, Sunday school superintendent and several terms on the church council.

He was a member of California Grange 941, where he was master for several years, treasurer for 20 years and held other offices. He was a charter and life member of Muffley-Huff Post 8206, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and served on the Limestone Township election board for many years.

Surviving are three sons and two daughters-in-law, Barry J. Durlin, with whom he lived in Danville, Dennis L. and Elaine Durlin of Danville and Randall R. and Barbara Jean Durlin of Camp Hill; two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara E. and Steven Fritz of Watsontown and Lorrie A. and Brian Day of Harleysville; 11 grandchildren, Jesse and Lalitha Durlin, Christine Shaffer and her husband Scott, Matthew Durlin and his wife Tara, Jennifer and Courtney Durlin, Brian, Eric and Todd Fritz and Kathryn and Sean Day; one brother and his wife, Fred W. and Alice Durlin of Danville; one sister, H. Louise Clark of Danville; and one sister-in-law, Gladys Durlin of Turbotville.

He was preceded in death by one brother, William C. Durlin Jr., who died Aug. 13, 1995, and one brother-in-law, John C. Clark, who died March 17, 1992.

Friends and family may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the William F. Brooks Funeral Home, 207 Broadway St., Turbotville, where California Grange 941 will conduct a memorial service at 8:45 p.m. Friends may also call from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church, Paradise Street, Turbotville, where the funeral will follow at 1:30 with the Rev. A Bruce Amme and the Rev. W. Stevens Shipman officiating.

Burial will follow in Presbyterian Cemetery, McEwensville, with full military honors accorded by combined veterans organizations.

The family suggests contributions in his memory be made to the Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 277, Turbotville, PA 17772.