In Memory of Edward H. Durbin

Edward H. Durbin, age 85, of Odebolt, Iowa passed away on Thursday, February 21, 2019, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at the United Methodist Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Pastor Ken Miller will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the Roose Post No. 313 of the American Legion of Odebolt, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Edward Harry Durbin, the son of Edward D. and Helen (Miller) Durbin, was born on April 3, 1933, in Waukegan, IL. He attended Catholic school until the age of 14, when the family moved to Berthoud, CO, to farm. Ed graduated in Colorado from Loveland High School with the class of 1952. During high school, Ed was enlisted in the National Guard and then was drafted into the U.S. Army. He honorably served his country overseas in Korea serving as a mechanic and personal driver from 1954-1956. 

Upon his honorable discharge from the service, Ed held various employment with John’s Mansville in IL, Combs Aircraft in Denver, CO, Gates Rubber, and an Oil Company. Ed married Irene Brown and the couple welcomed three sons Michael, Daniel, and Patrick.

Ed received his pilot’s license and owned his own hanger business. He built his own Taylor Craft airplane and operated his business until a windstorm hit and took the hanger. Ed and Irene parted ways in 1963, and he moved to California to be close to his sons.

In 1964, Ed moved back Colorado and met Judith Stevenson. The couple married on October 19, 1964, just 19 days after they met. He was employed with Silver King Vacuums until 1969, when the couple relocated back to Omaha, NE. Ed took a job with Penn Life Insurance and was employed there for 29 years. While employed with Penn Life, Ed served five states and earned top salesman, manager and then became a motivational speaker. Ed and Judith welcomed two sons David and Daryl.

The family moved state to state 14 times and due to health issues Ed retired at the age of 62. After a few months of traveling, Ed decided he would rather work and started working at Pamida in Ida Grove, IA, until he suffered a heart attack. After recovering, Ed went to work for Jim Meyers Farms until the age of 80, when Parkinson’s slowed him down. Ed and Judy, loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Spain, and Mexico. They also cherished quick day trips together with their grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife of 54 years Judy Durbin of Odebolt, IA; sons Mike (Donna) Durbin of Itasca, IL, Daniel (Carol) Durbin of Seattle, WA, Patrick Durbin of Seattle, WA, David (Tina) Durbin of Homer Glen, IL and Daryl (Sonya) Durbin of Ida Grove, IA; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren and one on the way; sister Nancy McCartney of Aurora, CO; brother Cecil Durbin of Havre, MT; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Helen Durbin.

The family request no flowers. Please direct memorials to the family to be used towards a OABCIG Senior Scholarship in the field of Mechanical Tech.