OBITUARY: J. Clyde Durfee

J. Clyde Durfee, 83, Carrier Mills passed away peacefully in his sleep 4:50 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, in the Carrier Mills Nursing Home.

He was born on Oct. 28, 1929, in Stonefort to the late James Young and Minnie Faulkner Durfee. He was married to Patricia Ann Moore on Oct. 28, 1950, and she preceded him in death on May 4, 2013. Clyde was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors. He graduated from Carrier Mills High School with the class of 1949. He was a Master Sergeant and veteran of the Korean conflict and was awarded the bronze star. Clyde was a long time member of the Carrier Mills First Baptist Church and had been a Deacon since 1973. He served as treasurer for the church for 41 years. He was a member of the Blazing Star Lodge No. 458 in Carrier Mills. He retired from Sahara Coal Company after 24 years. He was also employed by Saxton Coal Company and O'Keefe Distributing. He served on the Carrier Mills Fire Department for 30 years.

He is survived by a daughter, Joyce Denise Durfee of Tampa, Fla.; a granddaughter, Brandi Nichole (Furlong) Jones and husband Jarus Jones of Carbondale; great-grandson, Grayson Clyde Jones and his granddog "Chewy"; one sister, Imogene Edwards of Marion; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and eight brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, in the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills.

The Rev. Ryan Beck will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery with military rites by Carrier Mills and Harrisburg American Legions and the Military Ritual Team. Friends may call after 10 a.m. on Saturday. The casket will remain closed.

Memorials are the preferred choice of remembrance and should be directed to the First Baptist Church Building Fund in care of First Baptist Church P.O. Box 38 Carrier Mills, Ill. 62917. Please put "Building Fund - Clyde Durfee" on checks memo line.