CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO TRIBUTE


James William Durk, Sr., age 79, of Bethel, Missouri, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2009, at the home of his granddaughter, rural Palmyra, Missouri. He was born in Adams, County, Illinois, on November 19, 1929, the son of Albert Ray and Mildred Jones Durk. On May 5, 1948 at Quincy, Illinois he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Mae Justus. Surviving are his wife Elizabeth Mae Durk of Bethel, Missouri, nine children, James Durk Jr., and wife Pat of Quincy, Illinois, Pat Fox and husband Joe of Copperaus Cove, Texas, Sandy Begley and husband Ed of Palmyra, Missouri, Mike Durk and Robert Durk of Bethel, Missouri, David Durk of Newark, Missouri, Mary Davis and husband Dirk of Palmyra, Missouri, Brenda Elliott and husband Duane of Palmyra, Missouri, and Tim Durk and wife Carol of Rolla, Missouri, four sisters, Mildred Waller and husband Frank of Downers Grove, Illinois, Dorothy Van Order and husband Walter and Judy Gallaher both of Quincy, Illinois, Nancy Davis and husband Don of Durham, two brothers, Leroy Wagner and wife Charlotte and Clyde Wagner and wife Toby both of Ewing, Missouri, thirty-two grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Durk received his education at Durham and LaBelle, Missouri. In his earlier years he broke horses in the Marion County area. He was a member of Central Laborers Union Local # 919 and had been employed all over Northeast Missouri. James was engaged in farming in Lewis and Shelby County and for the past twenty-three he and his wife have resided at Bethel, Missouri. James enjoyed hunting, fishing, baseball and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, Missouri. Burial will be in the LaBelle Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Terry Durk, Timothy Durk, William Meyer, Will Clay, Jason Tallman, Andrew Durk, Matthew Durk, Shane Yakes, Zack Davis and Joshua Davis. The Family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, Missouri. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Hannibal, Missouri and may be mailed to or left at Coder Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 151, LaBelle, Missouri, 63447.