Charles "Stanley" Durbin

Charles "Stanley" Durbin, age 81, of Beecher City, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on July 12, 2017 at 9:19 p.m.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 17, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Beecher City Church of Christ. Funeral service will be Tuesday 10:00 a.m. at Beecher City Church of Christ with Pastor Dennis Warner officiating. Burial will take place at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery with Military Honors. Lockart-Green Funeral Beecher City is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Stanley was born on August 23, 1935 in Fayette County to Lloyd (Coon) and Erma (Sarver) Durbin, who were proprietors of Durbin's Grocery at Wright's Corner in later years. He grew up in Loudon Township, attending Hog Creek School and helping on the family farm along with his brother Russell, Junior, and Jerry.

He later attended Beecher City High School until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Stanley was in one of the first programs in the area that allowed him to receive his high school diploma due to enlisting in the U.S. Navy during his high school years. During his high school years, along with working on the family farm he also loved to hunt and fish, drive fast cars such as a model A, and enjoyed operating bulldozers, which he learned to operate at the age of 15. He loved the water, boating and skiing especially, and was known for being able to ski off the dock and return without even getting his trunks wet.

He served in the U.S. Navy during 1952-1956, which included the Korean War. He was aboard the USS Los Angeles 135 and the USS Helena, serving as a Boatswain Mate. He was proud to have served his country and maintained contact with some of his "Navy Buddies" throughout the years by getting together for lunches. He also was a Disabled Veteran and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 7676 of Altamont, as well as the American Legion of Beecher City Post 0535, USS Los Angeles Association #135, and the USS Helena Association.

Stanley had three children from a previous marriage, Monica, Lonnie, and Brenda, which also gave him six grandchildren.

He later married the love of his life Shirley Tipsword Bowlin on March 3, 1972. With this union, he gained the gift of two children, Connie and Jack, and later a daughter Shellie. He was also blessed with five more grandchildren from this union.

Stanley was baptized at the Beecher City Church of Christ in May of 1974 and remained a member of that church throughout his life. He was also a member of the Beecher City Ruritan's Club.

Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Shirley Durbin of Beecher City, children Connie (Bowlin) Gilbert and husband Ken of Beecher City, Jack Bowlin and wife Shelley of Beecher City and children Bridget, Jordan Hallie, Josie and Quinton, Shellie (Durbin) Witteborg, husband Tony and their children Olivia, Jacquelynne, and Charles of Beecher City, Monica Gildehaus of Navarre, Florida and her child Nicole, and Brenda Anderson, husband Tony, of Beecher City and their children Cory, Brandy, Adam, Rachel and Drew, brother Jerry Durbin and wife Mary of Pana, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, father-in-law, one son, and two brothers.

Memorial Contribution

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