Richard C. Durham

CHARLESTON, IL – Richard C. Durham, age 95 of Charleston, Illinois, passed away peacefully with loving family at his side on Sunday, February 16, 2020.   The Memorial Service, honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston with Reverend Janice Kahl officiating.  Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. prior to the Memorial Service.  Inurnment with Military Services will be at a later date at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston.  Memorial gifts in Richard’s honor may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, Wounded Warriors, or to a charity of the donor’s preference.  Gifts may be left at the service/visitation or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL  61920.

Richard was born November 20, 1924 in Little Elm, Texas – a small town not far from Denton, Texas.  He was one of six children born to the late Richard and Cassie (Willbanks) Durham.   Richard joined the United States Navy on November 11, 1942 and celebrated his eighteenth birthday while serving his country during WWII.  He was discharged in January of 1946 and the following year married the love of his life.  Richard and Betty Weaver were married April 5, 1947 in Lewisville, Texas and have enjoyed the blessings of 72 wonderful years of marriage.  In addition to Betty, he is survived by his son, Rick Durham and wife Sandi of Charleston, and his daughter, Debra Reid and husband Rod of Indianapolis, Indiana; three grandchildren, Brandon Durham-Raley and Garrick Durham-Raley and wife Sarah, all of Dallas, Texas and Jenna Durham of Charleston; one great-grandson, Rothgar Durham-Raley and a great-granddaughter, Felicity.  He is also survived by a brother, Jim Durham, also of Dallas.  Richard was preceded in death by three sisters, Ethel Coker, Margaret Aaron and Pauline Hasten; and a brother, Harold Durham. 

He was known by family and his many friends as either R.C. or Dick.  Moore Business Forms was his place of employment for nearly 40 years, working in the Texas and Missouri plants before arriving in Charleston.  R.C. was a Pressroom Foreman for many of those years and also worked in customer service.    After locating to Charleston in 1961, R.C. and Betty became an integral part of the Charleston community.  They became active members of Wesley United Methodist Church where Dick also served on the Church Board.  He was a member of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, a former member of the Charleston Elks B.P.O. E. 623 and the Charleston Country Club; and served as a member of the CCAR Board.

R.C. was a doer and was known for “getting things done”!  If a problem was identified, R.C. would have a solution. He could also be described as a handyman as he and Betty finished the inside of their family home where many fond memories have been made throughout the years.  He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Texas Longhorns, and the Ft. Worth Cats, which was a minor league baseball team that he followed in Texas.   R.C. was also a good friend to many and enjoyed long and enduring friendships.  He was a good provider for a family he dearly loved.  He was a loving and devoted husband and a wonderful father, whose children brought him great joy and whose grandchildren brought him even greater joy.  He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

MEMORIAL SERVICE
The memorial service honoring and celebrating the life of Richard Durham was held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Adams Funeral Chapel with Reverend Janice Kahl officiating.  Richard's, son, Rick Durham delivered the eulogy.  Pianist, Ruth Ann Craig provided prelude and postlude selections and accompanied Stan McMorris who sang, "It Is Well With My Soul".  Recorded selections of "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole and "I Did It My Way" by Frank Sinatra were played as well as "Taps" following a "Farewell to Richard" wirtten by Betty Durham and read by Reverend Kahl.  Inurnment with Military Rites will be at a later date in Roselawn Cemetery.

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